Mayor Bill de Blasio is speaking to his inner circle and union colleagues about running for governor, and sources say he is growing rapidly believing he can win.
A former senior adviser said, “I fell off my chair laughing – he’s honestly thinking about it.” “Because of all this Cuomo st, he is feeling bold.”
Hizoner asked throughout the week whether he was eyeing his opponent’s work. He said, “The future will take care of itself.”
Public comments intended not only gov. Cuomo is from – but behind closed doors, de Blasio is openly talking with advisers about running against him in the 2022 Democratic primaries, several insiders said. De Blasio is post-limited at the end of this year and leaves office, while Cuomo may seek re-election for a fourth term in November 2022.
Kyomo faces two extensive investigations – a state attorney general questioned at least three women in a general investigation into sexual harassment allegations, and her administration conducted a federal investigation into COVID-related nursing home deaths.
With the blood in the waters of the Cuomo, the mayor’s team has reached out to support large labor unions, including the District Council 37, which represents public employees; Local 1199 SEIU Health Employees Union; Sources said that 32BJ Local SEIU, which is representative of building construction workers.
“He’s calling his labor friends,” one operative said. “He is.” I think that no matter what – even if the governor runs for a fourth term – de Blasio will primary him. “
De Blasio believes his own image is reversing from his low point of last year, when he played Cuomo with a bumbling foil as the governor’s popularity peaked in the early stages of the epidemic.
The former senior adviser said of the Gubernarial run, “The more he talks about it, the more he likes, ‘Maybe it’s not such a crazy idea … maybe I have a shot.” “The way it is described to me is like talking in itself.”
A longtime Albany insider said the “de Blasio for governor” thing is gaining steam.
“I heard it picked up in a way more than a joke,” the source said. “It’s not a shock to me. It’s a big ego, an inflated figure of self importance. He’s someone who ran for the presidency, although it was clear that he was never going to gain traction.”
A current City Hall official said they fully expected De Blasio to run.
“He ran for president. It fits a pattern of delusions of grandeur,” the source said. “Certainly he would have liked to be a political commentator, but if there is a path to elected office, he will pursue it. do.”
Democratic strategists said the bid would be as lengthy a matter as his unsuccessful run for the 2020 presidency.
“It is surprising that after this time, he would think that he could be elected in New York,” said Karen Hinton, a former press secretary for both de Blasio and Cuomo. “I’m not trying to take anything away from his accomplishments – I think he has many – but the New Yorker elder has not particularly liked him, and I find it hard to imagine him being himself Can improve and be elected. It’s harsh, but I think it’s clear. “
Hinton said she converts him into a nonprofit, or teaching, or commentary.
Another former advisor agreed: “I figured he would take some important time off and regroup and think about what he wanted to do next … I imagined he would do some political pundits and a college course or Two will teach. But he said that in public recently he is not going into the private sector, so who knows. “
Sources said de Blasio could face a stronger foe than Cuomo if he seeks the governor’s mansion.
If Attorney General Letitia James “decides to run, she will have the support of the Brooklyn Democrats,” said a party source who noted that James started in New York politics as a Brooklyn councilwoman.
It is also unlikely that Blasio will gain the support of the powerful progressive wing of the Democratic Party over James.
“She is African American, she is female, all pull in her favor. The Albany Insider said that the Left really likes her.
A third former de Blasio operative stated that his ex-boss “has a shot” against “a weak Cuomo …” but if he is running in an open field against Letitia James, [Long Island Rep.] Kathleen Rice and others, they probably have no chance. “
De Blasio’s former press secretary, Eric Phillips, said he had not had any recent discussions with the mayor about Gubernatorial aspirations, but defended his former boss’s record.
“There’s no doubt that it was fashionable to dislike Bill de Blasio in July, but when you look back at the results, their report card is going to be quite good,” Phillips said.
“I don’t think Meyer is good at the theater. He has never been… Andrew is tremendous at the Cuomo Theater. “
According to a Manhattan Institute poll, de Blasio’s approval rating rose to 40 percent in July, while Cuomo gained 73 percent popularity.
Much worse has happened since the Governor’s standing. A new Quinnipiac University poll found that 45 percent of New Yorkers approved the work that Cuomo is doing, while 46 percent disapproved.
But one strategist warned the bookies against Cuomo’s fourth term.
“Don’t underestimate Andrew Cuomo,” he said. “I don’t think he is as finished as some people say he is. He still has a chance to redeem himself.”
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