Term-limited Mayor Bill de Blasio refused Monday to rule out a run for governor while his nemesis — embattled Gov. Andrew Cuomo —grapples with multiple investigations over sexual harassment accusations and his handling of the coronavirus.
De Blasio, who completes his term for mayor on Dec. 31, was asked point blank during a press conference whether he would run for governor in 2022. He did not close the door.
“I have not ruled in or ruled out anything. I have not made any decisions about the future,” de Blasio said.
The Post reported in March that de Blasio was talking to advisers about a potential run for governor next year while three-term Democratic incumbent Cuomo is mired in scandal.
De Blasio has been laid back and relaxed in recent months. He looked like a beach bum as he and his staff played volleyball against local reporters last Friday.
But critics say he’s too relaxed.
De Blasio was a no-show during an NYPD briefing Saturday morning after a police lieutenant was shot.
Recent polls show that de Blasio is unpopular even in New York and his brief, quixotic campaign for president was a flop.
History has not been kind to mayors who have sought higher office.
Former Mayors Mike Bloomberg and Rudy Giuliani both flamed out in their own bids for the White House.
For his part, Cuomo has repeatedly said that de Blasio has been an incompetent mayor and said Democratic mayoral nominee Eric Adams will be an executive he can work with at City Hall.
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