NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- Michael Bloomberg was endorsed on Thursday by members of Congress from New York and New Jersey, just hours after the former New York City mayor made his debate debut in Las Vegas.
Rep. Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey and Rep. Nita Lowey of New York announce their endorsements, as did Rep. Pete Aguilar of California.
Bloomberg campaigned for Gottheimer in his district in 2018. Lowey's former chief of staff, Howard Wolfson, is a longtime Bloomberg aide and now serves as a top adviser to his campaign.
"I'm endorsing Mike Bloomberg because we need an experienced, proven leader who has big ideas, will fight to get things done, and knows how to work with -- and get votes from – Democrats, Republicans, and Independents," Gottheimer said. "Democrats need a candidate at the top of the ticket who can win. As he demonstrated as an entrepreneur and mayor, Mike is a proven problem solver. He isn't afraid to speak his mind, and knows that you'll never make lasting progress with scorched earth tweets, nasty personal attacks, or an all-or-nothing extremist approach to governing."
Bloomberg also had kind words for Gottheimer: "Rep. Gottheimer is proof that with the right candidate, we can bridge political divides and turn red areas blue – and that's what we need to do in November," he said. "In Congress, he has worked to break gridlock and find bipartisan solutions to the big challenges we face. That's what I will do as president, and I'm honored to have his support."
Lowey, meanwhile, said, "Mike and I have worked together for years in New York, and whether it's homeland security or gun safety, there's no one you can depend on more to get important initiatives over the finish line. We need someone in the White House who will help secure a bright future for our children and families, free of gun violence, with opportunity for educational success and good jobs, and with access to affordable health care and prescription drugs. That person is Mike Bloomberg."
Bloomberg said of Lowey, who represents parts of Westchester and Rockland Counties, "As mayor of New York City, I was grateful for Rep. Lowey's support in rebuilding our region after 9/11, and I'm honored to have her support now. Rep. Lowey knows a threat when she sees one, and she knows that Donald Trump serves only himself, putting Americans at risk. As president, I will protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."
