NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) – Former Mayor Bill de Blasio said Wednesday that he’s forming an exploratory committee for a potential run for U.S. Congress in New York’s newly drawn 10th Congressional District.
In a statement posted to his website and Twitter, de Blasio wrote: “Our neighborhoods need help as we recover from Covid. Our nation needs help as democracy is threatened and working people struggle. I am ready to serve to continue the fight against inequality. I am forming an Exploratory Committee for the new New York 10th Congressional District.”
While the launch of an exploratory committee doesn't mean de Blasio has officially entered the race, it strongly suggests he plans to in the future.
The announcement comes amid multiple reports this week that the two-term mayor is interested in running for the new congressional seat covering parts of Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn, including Park Slope, where he lives.
On Monday, a court-appointed expert released a draft of new congressional maps for New York after maps drawn by Democrats were struck down by a court that ruled the political boundaries were gerrymandered.
There’s currently no incumbent for the 10th District because Rep. Jerry Nadler, who represents the current 10th District, said this week he’d run against incumbent and fellow Democrat Rep. Carolyn Maloney in the 12th District race.
The 12th District was redrawn to include the Upper West Side, where Nadler lives. The district currently includes a swath of Manhattan’s East Side, Greenpoint in Brooklyn, and parts of western Queens.
A person close to de Blasio told Politico on Tuesday that the former mayor is “no doubt” considering a run in the new district, as are four Democratic state lawmakers—Sens. Brad Hoylman and Simcha Felder, and Assemblymembers Robert Carroll and Jo Anne Simon.
The source noted that the new 10th District map is actually more favorable to de Blasio than the 11th District map previously drafted up by Democrats that would've included liberal parts of Brooklyn like Park Slope but also GOP-friendly Staten Island currently represented by Republican Rep. Nicole Malliotakis. De Blasio said earlier this year that he wouldn’t run for that district despite reports. He also said he wouldn't seek the governorship amid widespread speculation he'd challenge Gov. Kathy Hochul after his time as mayor was up.
Related
Related
Related
