A major endorsement was announced on Monday ahead of next week’s special election for state senate in Brooklyn as former New York City Mayor and GOP heavyweight Rudy Giuliani threw his support to Republican David Storobin.

Storobin is vying to replace disgraced former State Senator Carl Kruger who resigned in December, and is running against Democrat City Councilman Lew Fidler in the special election on March 20.

“Brooklyn needs David Storobin in the state senate, and I know he’s the right man for the job,” said Giuliani. “As a small business owner who has the experience of creating jobs, David has impressed me as a driven and capable leader who will help move New York in the right direction.”

Giuliani appears in direct mail and television ads running this week, as the campaign comes to a close.

Storobin, who volunteered for Giuliani’s mayoral campaigns as a young man, thanked the mayor for his support.

“Rudy Giuliani is the man who inspired me into politics. There is no figure who looms larger as a symbol of New York’s resilience and strength than Mr. Giuliani. His endorsement is a huge boost to my campaign and I am happy to have his support as the next state senator from Brooklyn,” Storobin said.