Legendary New York mayor Ed Koch has announced he is endorsing Irish American City Council Speaker Christine Quinn as the next Mayor of New York. The election will be in 2013.

The Koch backing could prove extremely important for the Jewish vote for Quinn, the granddaughter of an Irish Titanic survivor, who is the first gay and lesbian speaker in the city’s history.

Koch told The New York Times he originally wanted to endorse Police Commissioner Ray Kelly but he told him he would not run.

“I originally urged Ray Kelly to run... he’s not going to run, so “now I’m endorsing Christine.”

He said he believed Ms. Quinn would do the best job protecting the city’s middle class.

“I believe that she is center-left, which is what I am,” he said, adding, “Of all the candidates, Christine is the best able to follow in the steps of Mayor Bloomberg and myself.”

Asked why he made his endorsement two years before the race ,  Koch, who celebrated his birthday on Monday, stated, “I’m 87 today — I’m not looking to roll up i.o.u.’s.”