Former Mayor Rudy Giuliani is endorsing Rep. Bob Turner, the surprise victor in the special election to replace disgraced Rep. Anthony Weiner, in his candidacy for the Senate.

Turner is challenging Wendy Long for the Republican nomination ahead of the party's June 26 primary. The winner will challenge incumbent Sen. Kirsten Gilibrand in the general election in the fall.

"Bob Turner is the only candidate who can defeat Kirsten Gillibrand and I urge my fellow Republicans to join me in supporting him," Giuliani said in a statement.

Describing Sen. Gilibrand as the 'nation's most liberal' Senator, Giuliani lends Turner considerable credibility after his close a victory in the September special election that saw him defeat favorite David Weprin, and returned the Queens district back to Republican hands after eight decades of Democratic control. 

"I'm honored and humbled to receive Mayor Giuliani's endorsement," said Rep. Turner. "To the world, he became 'America's Mayor,' but to us here in New York, he was always 'our' mayor."