Are New Yorkers Ready for Another Billionaire as Mayor?

"I want to be a Mayor for all the neighborhoods of our great city. I want to be a Mayor who fairly represents all New Yorkers whether you are a cab driver from South Asia, a bodega owner from the Caribbean or an aspiring actor from the Midwest." (Catsimatidis in announcement 01-29-13) 

Are New Yorkers ready for another billionaire as Mayor? Are they convinced in his commitment to serve as a mayor of all people, by selling himself as a 'common wealthy' personal? 

NYmag conducted a 'man in the street' survey, asking random New Yorkers whether they are skeptical or not about Catsimaditis? 

Poor Website Design Shows Catsimatidis's Wallet Has Yet to Reach Campaign Office

From a billionaire like Catsimatidis, one would expect to come across a little better designed campaign website, then this poor designed and unprofessional template. Unless he bought the template in the same place he bought his $99 suit he wore for the Press conference on Tuesday.

Powerful Labor Union Endorses Quinn As Most Liberal Democratic Candidate

One of the city’s largest and most powerful labor unions, The Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU), announced their endorsement of Christine C. Quinn, for mayor, David Chen reports in the NY Times.

Brooklyn's Russian Kingmaker and Conservative Orthodox Activist Behind Hispanic Pastor for Mayor

Last month a presentation by the unofficial Hispanic Rev. from Brooklyn's mayoral campaign took place for local supporters in the Widdi Catering hall in Brooklyn.

Rev. Erick Salgado, a conservative Democrat, has registered as a Democratic candidate for Mayor of NYC on Dec. 31, 2012, looking to become the first Hispanic Mayor of NYC. While he hasn't officially declared his candidacy yet, Salgado has apparently managed to wrap up support by some in the Russian and the Orthodox Jewish Communities.

Bill Thompson Totally Ready To Burst Out of Boring Brand

Bill Thompson is ready to get rid of his boring status, one that might of costed him the election in 2009, as he lost by a mere margin of 4.6 to Mayor Bloomberg. In an extensive profile of former City Comptroller, Bill Thompson for Politicker, Colin Campbell helped Thompson become creative about overcoming the notion that his candidacy is kind of sleepy or boring to a certian extent.

 

“If I had thrown an expletive in, maybe it would have gotten more attention. But then people would have to bleep it out,” he said while sipping on his coffee. "Then it would be, ‘Bill Thompson, he doesn’t have the temperament to be the mayor of the City of New York!’

Meet NYC 'Social Media' Mayoral Candidate - Ceceilia Berkowitz

No, shes not 22, nor Orthodox or a senator wannabe barbie, but she's friends with Mayor Bloomberg and yes she's a Democrat. Meet the latest mayoral candidate, who launched her campaign by a trizzillion tweets to media outlets and reporters requesting interviews and immediate attention, 'Social Media Journalist' Ceceilia Berkowitz.

Ceceilia, 34 ,resident of Manhattan, originally from North Jersey, is a self described Social media journalist ( "since May2011 when I saw Dr.JillBiden (the Second lady) speak at a Commencement") who is launching her campaign for NYC Mayor on January 31st, "with a good strategy to plan to win the election, and simultaneously improve the politics and functioning of New York."

On her website, she claims she's in the process of "assembling together a diverse and inclusive team of New Yorkers and other interested people." some of them as she unvield on Twitter include: Alex Castillo, Michael O'Brien and Josh Omisore. Ceceilia has also appointed a Jewish Liasion to court the Jewish vote: Baruch Hertzfeld "my Facebook connection to the Orthodox in Brooklyn."

John Catsimatidis Announces Mayoral Run: "We Are Not Going Back."

Surrounded by family members, supporters and City hall reporters on the steps of Cuity Hall, Billionaire John Catsimatidis announced his candidacy for Mayor of New York City. Praising Mayor Bloomberg's 12 years in office, Catsimatidis explained why New Yorkers must elect yet another Republican as mayor over any Democratic opponent. "New Yorkers, we are not going back. We are not giving the streets back to the criminals. We have to maintain the World's confidence in New York," he said. 

Catsimatidis: It's Me or Lhota

In advance of today's presser, John Catsimatidis told Celeste Katz of NY Daily News that he's serious about his run for the city's top office -- and that he's to be taken serious this time. "The city has been very good to me, and I want to make a difference,"' he said

Adopting Carl Paldaino''s promise running for Governor in 2010, Catsimatidis vowed a one term proposition "I'm willing to give four years," he said, adding that "I think it’s only me and Joe Lhota. Nobody else is going to get [considered] seriously." 

Restless Weiner Waves Comeback Trial for Mayor or Comptroller

A reader in Forest Hills, Queens and an Upper West Side Democrat, both notified Liz Benjamin form Capital Tonight about receiving a polling call yesterday afternoon asking if they would be willing to consider scandal-scarred former Rep. Anthony Weiner for either Mayor of NYC or NYC comptroller this fall.

The Queens resident was asked about a possible matchup between Weiner and Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer in the race for City Comptroller.

In 5 Borough Swing, Bill de Blasio Adores 'Pavement Pounding Approach'

Bill de Blasio’s path to Gracie Mansion kicked off in a 5 Borough swing, a sixty miles day long journey reaching out to disenfranchised residents in the outer boroughs. 

This 'pavement pounding approach', he told Politicker, will leave voters convinced he is better suited to address the needs of the entire city than his rivals. “If you’re going to change the status quo in this city, it’s going to take a forceful approach,” he told Hunter Walker and Ross Barkan accompanying him on his 1st day of campaigning. “I won’t speak to the details of my opponents, but I think the approach that I take is the one that actually helps to achieve some real change. … Some of my opponents believe in making that change, some don’t. Some are doing something about that, some aren’t. I think that what voters will see in this city that I back up my words with action.”

Joe Lhota Touts 'Everyman' Status to Overcome Dem Advantage

Republican Joe Lhota hopes New York city voters choose to continue the Republican rule of the city, warning of electing the wrong person, in his case a Democrat, in an interview with Jill Colvin, for DNAinfo.com. "All of the advancements that have happened in the city over the last 20 years — all of the quality-of-life changes, all of the increases in jobs — I believe are quite fragile," Lhota told DNAinfo.com.

Mayoral Candidates Visit Boro Park Jewish Community

Council Speaker Christine Quinn visited the house of Ezra Friedlander in Borough Park Sunday evening to attend a new tradition of celebrating the Jewish Holiday of Tu Bshvat, attended by Community leaders and politicos, described by VINNEWS as "highly influential group of Orthodox and Hasidic movers and shakers."

 

At the “seder” table (I guess a new definition to a non-political oriented occasion) yesterday featuring special readings "Ms. Quinn, with a fully loaded campaign war chest and reportedly a commanding lead in the polls in the 2013 race for Mayor of NYC, was honored in reading ancient rabbinic texts about the importance of preserving fruits trees and meaning of planting a seed for future generations to enjoy, according to VIN.

City Republican Chairmen 'Almost' Behind Billioniare Catsimatidis

Former Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrión’s mayoral candidacy is in jeopardy, since he has failed to secure the support of three of the city’s five Republican county chairmen, the WSJ reported on Friday. 

The two GOP chairmen that have previously committed themselves to Mr. Carrión, Brooklyn’s Craig Eaton and Jay Savino of the Bronx, have now privately shifted their support to Republican grocery billionaire John Catsimatidis, Chris Bragg reports in The insider. “Almost everyone is with John, it’s just not official yet,” one Republican insider told Bragg. 

In Crowded Field, WSJ Barely Finds a Handful of Mayoral Candidates

Though most of the potential mayoral candidates havens officially declared their candidacy for mayor of NYC, the field has filled up on both sides of the aisle, with various candidates just waiting for the right timing to do so.

Following Bill de Blasio's official entry to the race on Sunday outside his home in Park Slope, the WSJ made note that the Democratic primary also included Christine Quinn and Bill Thompson, facing Joe Lhota from the Republican side. In an updated version, the WSJ with the help of AP listed City Comptroller John Liu who is also running for mayor, as a potential 'Republican' candidate.

de Blasio Officially Declares Candidacy for Mayor of NYC

Flanked by a diverse crowd, enthusiastic supporters and local Park Slope and Brooklyn residents, introduced by his by his wife Chirlane and son Dante in front of the family home, Bill de Blasio declared his candidacy for Mayor of New York City. 

Received by chants of 'Yes We Can', de Blasio promised to be a mayor "of and for our neighborhoods."

Daily News Hosts 1st of # Mayoral Debates Streamed on Google+

The NY Daily News hosted Thursday night a mayoral forum in Brooklyn, the first of three the Daily News is sponsoring in conjunction with Metro IAF. The Debate which was participated by four of the Democratic candidates and two Republican was also streamed live via Google+ On-Air Hangouts. The upcoming debates will be held in February and March. 

de-Blasio Planning 'Major' Announcement on Sunday

In an email to supporters and reporters, Bill de Blasio writes:

"My family is making a very big announcement this weekend — and I hope that you can join us. 

This Sunday, we will be making a very important announcement about 2013. 

...Nearly 15 years later, I still believe this is the best way to represent a community — by introducing my family to yours, speaking face to face with folks from across the five boroughs, and making sure my ears are open to the needs of all New Yorkers. 

Please join us as we come together this Sunday in Park Slope, Brooklyn at 12 PM outside our home on 11th Street, between 6th and 7th Avenues — located two blocks from the 7th Avenue F train..."

The Race begins: Its Thompson vs. Lhota - Orchestrated by Giulian

Joe Lhota seems trapped with Giuliani, despite his weekend claims that he's his own man. 

Rudy Giuliani slammed the Democratic candidates fiscal plans, telling NY1 that they would give away the store to municipal unions if elected. “It frightens me because I think what they [the unions] have in mind is trying to elect their candidate so they can get sweetheart deals,” Giuliani charged. “We’re going to need a mayor who’s capable of striking fair deals, but striking tough deals that protect the taxpayers of this city, not just deliver the city over to the union members.”

Bill Thompson: ‘Read My Lips’ - No Tax Hikes if Elected Mayor

In a speech to a civic group Thursday organized by the Association for a Better New York, William C. Thompson Jr. vowed that he would not raise taxes.

Mr. Thompson made his pledge after delivering a speech to a civic group in which he proposed to increase the number of police officers to 37,000 from the current level of 35,000, and to make the boroughs outside of Manhattan bigger hubs for back-office jobs. To pay for his ideas, he told the audience, he would look for a “better bang for the buck” in government “without increasing taxes.”

Lhota Wants You to Know: No, I'm Not Giuliani, I'm a Businessman

As Republican Joe Lhota filed paperwork today to run for New York City mayor, he stressed he would be different from his former boss, Mayor Rudy Giuliani. "I am a completely different person from Mayor Giuliani both on personality, on approach, on education and background. I'm not an attorney, I'm a businessman,” Lhota told every reporter he granted a debut interview for, on Thursday.

 “I’m going far beyond the Giuliani coalition,” he told Colin Campbell from Politicker. “There’s not a community in the city that I won’t go to. There’s not a community in this city that I won’t try to get their votes. This idea of tying me to Giuliani is quite unique. I know Rudy Giuliani. I like Rudy Giuliani. I worked with him during his administration. But we’re completely different people. “

It's Official: Former MTA Boss Enters Mayoral Race

It's official: Republican Joe Lhota is running for mayor. Lhota filed the paperwork necessary to formalize his candidacy on Thursday. “It’s official. Joe Lhota is a candidate to be the 109th mayor of New York City,” Lhota tweeted about 10 a.m. 

“Since I left my position as chairman and CEO of the MTA just two weeks ago, I’ve been asked over and over, 'Joe, why do you want to be the mayor of New York City?,’” Lhota said in a “From Joe” message on his Web site. 

Politicker Profiles Candidates in Wide open Mayoral Race

As they always do, Hunter Walker and Colin Campbell from The Observer had a little fun putting together the never-ending list of candidates vying to succeed Mayor Bloomberg. Who is the front-runner, who are the favorites, who are the inclusive underdogs, and what about the assortment of protest candidates and oddballs who bring more color to the race? Will the packed primary pull out a winner, or a runoff?  

To G-d the answers. 

Nonetheless, Walker and Campbell left the steamy office in Manhattan to tour the forest, and came back with lots of nuts to crack. 

Mayoral Hopefuls Talk NYC Issues at Al Sharpton Forum

Rev. Al Sharpton hosted Tuesday night a panel of five Democratic mayoral hopefuls, a discussion about race, stop-and-frisk, social justice, gun control and Ray Kelly.

"The most charged moments were when Mr. Sharpton asked the candidates whether they would keep Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly," the NY Times reports. 

Poll: Dem Candidates Beat GOP Lhota: 31% Democratic primary Voters Remain Undecided

The three major Democratic candidates for mayor would beat Joe Lhota, the favored Republican mayoral candidate by a large margin, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.  

Former MTA Chair & CEO Joseph Lhota leads in the Republican primary with 23 percent of the vote, followed by businessman John Catsimatidis with 9 percent, newspaper publisher Tom Allon with 5 percent, former Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrion with 3 percent and Doe Fund founder George McDonald with 2 percent, while 53 percent remain undecided.