Former NYC Mayor Bill De Blasio Announces Run for Congress

Bill De Blasio is, once again, running for office.

The former NYC mayor shared the news during a surprise appearance on MSNBC’s Morning Joe on Friday, declaring his candidacy for the newly drawn 10th Congressional District, which covers Lower Manhattan and parts of Brooklyn.

“Polls show the people are hurting, they need help, they need help fast, and they need leaders who can actually get them help now, and know how to do it,” De Blasio told Morning Joe. “I do know how to do it from years of serving the people of this city; so today I am declaring my candidacy for Congress …”

The 61-year-old Democrat, who served two mayoral terms in NYC, went on to highlight what he believes to be his administration’s biggest successes.

“I want to tell you, what people need is exactly the kinds of things that I focused on before. They need money back in their pocket, we did that,” he said. “We reduced income inequality. We helped people by getting pre-K and 3-K for all their children, taking a huge expense off their plates. I’m very proud of having led this city out of the worst of the COVID crisis.”

He continued: “I’m ready right now to serve and address the issues that are so deep in communities in Brooklyn and Manhattan […] This is the next step. I want to serve the people of the community that is my home and that I love.”

De Blasio announced earlier this week had formed an exploratory committee for NY’s 10th District, which is currently represented by Democratic Rep. Jerry Nadler. However, a proposed congressional map that was set to be approved on Friday has caused chaos among Democratic incumbents in New York. 

Last month, the New York Court of Appeals rejected the Dem’s proposed congressional map, saying it amounted to unconstitutional gerrymandering. The court then ordered a court-appointed “special master” to redraw the map, which put Nadler outside the 10th District. If the redistricting is ultimately approved, Nadler—who is the chair of the House Judiciary Committee—is expected to run in Rep. Carolyn Maloney’s 12th District.

Other Democrats who are reportedly eyeing the 10th District include State senators Brad Hoylman and Simcha Felder, Assembly members Robert Carroll, Jo Anne Simon, and Yuh-Line Niou, as well as City Councilwoman Carlina Rivera and former City Councilman David Yassky.

The Democratic primary is scheduled to take place Aug. 23.