Ceceilia Berkowitz Announces Big Apple Run

Growing Anxiety Of Post-Bloomberg Mayor Immune To Powerful Interests

The latest corruption scandals, has exacerbated those fears of many from a post-Bloomberg mayor immune to bribery or intimidation by powerful special interests. After 12 years of  a billionaire mayor, who had no outside interests to abide with, a less assertive manager would bring down New York to the level of a messy backroom deal-making government, Chris Bragg and Andrew Hawkins write in The Insider Blog.

First Anti-Quinn Ad Fills The Democratic Field With Smoke and Gun Shots

It has officially begun, when Christine Quinn is being painted as a moderate who's out of touch with progressive Democratic voters. A new outside campaign, by a coalition of left-leaning labor unions and Democratic activists who say they are not backing anyone in particular, has been launched Sunday night with the release of a 30 second TV ad scheduled to air on cable television stations like MSNBC and Bravo for three weeks, David Chen reports in the NY Times. 

Where Is Thompson... Where Are You?

Since covering the mayoral race, we have gotten numerous calls from former Thompson supporters who have expressed disappointment in Bill Thompson's absence from major Jewish events.

Mr. Thompson's last visit to the Jewish community in Brooklyn, was at a closed event in the Avenue Plaza hotel's conference room, with the attendance of a dozen community leaders and operatives. However, Mr. Thompson was notably absent from the annual COJO of Flatbush legislative Breakfast, as from the JCC of Marine park breakfast a week earlier.

Newcomer and Long Shot Mayoral Candidate Cries Foul Over 'Discriminatory' Disregard

As reported last week, Rev. Erick Salgado, a church pastor and self-described "conservative Democrat," has entered the crowded field seeking the Democratic party's nomination for mayor. In an interview with the Staten Island Advance, Mr. Slagado touted his Latino culture and coalition he believes he has assembled as a unique choice in this mayoral race. 

"We need to concentrate and make sure that all the different communities get the representation they deserve in City Hall," Rev. Salgado told the Advance Friday. "We cannot define New York City as a melting pot anymore -- we have to understand it is a collection of different communities with different cultures."

Short of Money, Mayoral Hopeful McDonald Drops Oppo Memo Against Lhota

While Catsimatidis is touting on his Democratic background as an electability argument against Joe Lhota in the Republican primary, Goerge McDonald, who is running low in campaign funds, is doing the opposite. In an internal six-page memo leaked to the WSJ (intentionally?), the McDonald campaign has decided the path to victory is by going on offense to explain Republican voters why Joe Lhota is "simply unelectable." 

"The paradoxical challenge of Lhota's campaign strategy is that to win the primary he must closely identify with Mayor Giuliani but in doing so he creates a political environment that is simply insurmountable in the general election," according to the March 25 memo sent to the McDonald campaign's finance-committee members.

McDonald Vows Standing Strong Despite Weak Position

"Oh Right, that's because we are in court and the judge hasn't ruled yet," mayoral candidate George McDonald's response was as I approached him in the spin room over his poor showing in the latest financial disclosure. According to the Daily News, McDonald, who's been accepting over-limit donations while fighting the giving laws, raised a mere $21,204 between Jan. 12 and March 13th.

The Angry Old Guy That Stole The Show At the Mayoral Debate

The star of the night at the 92Y was neither of the candidates running for mayor, but a 89 year old guy who complained about too many express vs. too little local buses. 

Adolfo Carrion Losing Last Hope for GOP Primary Entry

As we reported last week, Joe Lhota has picked up the endorsement of another county committee  thus dealing a severe blow to the candidacy of Adolfo Carrion, now losing his magic entry to participate in the Republican primary. 

On the same day that he received the endorsement of the city's council members, Joe Lhota has racked up the endorsement of Bronx County GOP Chairman Jay Savino, the Daily Politics blog has learned. 

John Liu Opens Up: I've Been Running For Mayor Since 2009

Mayoral candidate John Liu, who has dominated the race since he has officially kicked off his campaign in a 14 hour tour on Sunday, opened up to the press. Asked, by Colin Campbell  when he decided to pursue the job of mayor, he said, "Probably from the moment I got elected comptroller."

Queens GOP Rising Star Calls On 'Buffoon' Catsdimatidis To Drop Out

While He has managed to ramp up support among county chairs and local individuals, Billionaire John Catsimatidis got hit in the head by non other than one of the Queens GOP rising stars, Councilman Eric Ulrich.

 "He’s a buffoon -- and he will never get elected mayor in New York," said Ulrich at a Wednesday press conference. 

Hamodia Highlight Charles Barron's Endorsement of John Liu

Rock Star, Defiant Representitve or a Cult Leader? Liu Shakes Up Mayoral Campaign

John Liu officially entered the crowded field of mayoral candidates with a 15 hour kick off tour Sunday, tailed by family members, supporters and tired NYC reporters.

Some viewed the chaotic scene and over flowed crowd of supports at the steps of City Hall as a treatment of a rock star:

Bill de Blasio Kicks Off Charm Offensive Tour Courting The Jewish Vote

"This community will be crucial," Bill de Blasio started off his remarks at a breakfast with Jewish community leaders and politicos, hosted by Leon Goldberg from Agudath Israel. Mayor "Bloomberg came to you in 2009, but didn't tell you why it was that crucial. I can tell you upfront because it will be a close election," Mr. de Blasio added.

This is the age of close elections," Mr. de Blasio continued. "But I think we have all gotten the memo that every single vote counts."

Chaotic Start To John Liu's Lefty Campaign Kick Off

It didn't go too well for John Liu on Sunday as he officially kicked off his mayoral campaign. From a more calmer 5-Borough tour, to the chaotic kick off rally at City Hall, to his over chewed exaggerated stories, City Comptroller John Liu seemed to have started the campaign for mayor with a left foot, and a turn left (A Yiddish Term to א לינקע פיס).

Lhota Warns: 'Fragile' City Situation Could Regress in a Democratic Administration

"Many of you don't look old enough to remember what the city was like 20 years ago," Mayoral candidate Joe Lhota told a small gathering of young Brooklyn Republicans on Sunday. "The changes that have been made since then in quality of life, in reduction in crime and what's happened all throughout the city have been nothing short of spectacular."

Catsimatidis Ramps Up Early GOP Support

John Catsimatidis might not be considered the favorite in the GOP primary to take on the Democratic mayoral nominee, but he is definitely ramping up early support among the party's power brokers.

A source close to the three-term Republican governor, George Pataki, told the NY Post that Pataki could announce his support of his fellow Republican as soon as this week. “It’s expected soon,” the Pataki insider said.

Tidbits From The Trail: Quinn Kicks Off "Walk and Schmooze" Tour

Former SI Congressman Endorses Catsimatidis for Mayor

Former Staten Island GOP Congressman Vito Fossella, who quit Congress amid a love child scandal in 2008, is making a big political splash – endorsing billionaire supermarket mogul John Catsimatidis for mayor, The NY Post has learned. 

“My candidate for mayor is John Catsimatidis. I will do whatever I can to help him,” Fossella said. “John is a wonderful, amazing guy. I admire his accomplishments. There’s not a guy out there who is more real. I know his passion for New York City,” Fossella added. 

Catsimatidis Touts Jewish Friendship and Religious Freedom Protectionism

“God has been good to us. New York City has been good to us. That’s why I want to give back," Mayoral candidate John Catsimatidis told The Jewish Voice in an interview published this week. "I think every successful citizen should give back. Remember what John Kennedy said – ‘Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country.’ People don’t believe that anymore. I want to give back [because] in the end I don’t need any money, I don’t need anything. Bloomberg works for a dollar – I’m going to work for 99 cents."