New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio is planning to run for New York governor next year, according to a new report.
The New York Times reports de Blasio is privately telling fellow Democrats and political donors behind closed doors that he plans to challenge Gov. Kathy Hochul, also a Democrat, in the 2022 gubernatorial race. Sources told the newspaper that he has reached out to labor leaders about a possible campaign and asked former aides about joining his potential campaign staff.
The Hill reports De Blasio, who has served as NYC mayor since since 2014, is ineligible to run in the next mayoral election due to term limits.
De Blasio declined to confirm or deny plans of a gubernatorial bid during a news briefing Wednesday, but said he does want to continue in public service after leaving the mayor’s office.
“There’s a lot to do. Look I’m not going to make any political announcements. I’m only making a broad point, for the last year and a half I’ve had to lead the nation’s largest city through the Covid crisis. I’m very proud of what the people the city has done,” de Blasio told media. “As we get farther down the line, when I have something more to say, I will certainly let you know.”
If de Blasio enters the Democratic primary, his competition will include New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and possibly New York State Attorney General Letitia James. Hochul, who became New York’s first female governor when Andrew Cuomo resigned in August, said she plans to run and has already been endorsed by the state’s Democratic Party chairman.
NBC reports a Co/efficient poll in mid-August found de Blasio more than 20 points behind Hochul and James in a three-way primary contest. The same poll also put him a dead last in a list of 15 candidates when voters were asked who they could and could not support to determine a net support score; he was -30.
U.S. Rep. Lee Zeldin, a Long Island Republican, is the front-runner to win the GOP nomination for governor next year.