NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- The city’s first lady Chirlane McCray said she will not run for Brooklyn borough president next year.
McCray made the announcement in an interview with NY1 on Thursday night, ending months of speculation that she was pursuing the role.
“I thought about running for Brooklyn borough president. I thought about it long and hard and decided in this urgent moment there’s so much work to be done, right now, right here where I am, and my priority really is to see this through — my priority is serving the people of New York,” McCray told anchor Cheryl Wills.
McCray said this is a tough time for the city and that she will focus on helping New Yorkers struggling through the pandemic and economic crisis.
“The pandemic has devastated so many families and people are hurting. And I want to make sure New Yorkers have services they need and our city comes back stronger than ever,” she said.
McCray’s husband, Mayor Bill de Blasio, is in office through 2021. Under his administration, she oversees the ThriveNYC mental health initiative, the She Built NYC program and the Commission on Racial Justice and Reconciliation.
In the interview, the first lady defended her husband’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic.
“This is a really tough time to govern. And he’s doing a great job, getting so much done,” she said.
Asked if she wanted de Blasio to run for public office in the future, she said that decision was ultimately up to him.
“He’s my partner in all things, I want only the best for him. He has to decide what he wants to do, where he wants to go next,” she said.
As for her own political career, McCray said she’s not sure what’s next.
“My focus is on the work that I’m doing right now. I’m going to continue that focus. It brings me joy and satisfaction. I don’t know what the future holds for me at this moment. There is a lot of uncertainty,” she said.