Republican Mayoral Candidates Secede From The National Republican Party

Two of the leading Republican mayoral candidates seceded tonight from the National Republican Party, a sign of how bad the Republican brand, in its current form, is among Independents and minority groups.

At a  Mayoral Forum on Sustainability -- hosted by NYLCVEF and the Cooper Union Institute for Sustainable Design -- and moderated by Brian Lehrer, Joe Lhota, who joined for the first time all the Democratic candidates on stage, sought to separate himself from the National Republican party, especially on environmental issues. "I disagree with the Republican party not only on social issues but also on environmental issues," he said. "I think the party itself has lost its way tremendously  It was President teddy Roosevelt who created the national park lands. It was, believe it or not, Richard Nixon who created EPA. The fact of the matter is, done properly, environmental issue and sustainability can also be about new jobs, new technologies and expanding the economy."

Anthony Weiner Pushes Out Mayoral Candidates From Twitter Driver's Seat

Weiner Is Back In The Driver Seat On Twitter

Former Congressman Anthony Weiner, who was forced to resign for using social media in an inappropriate way, has managed to overcome the shame and jump back into the cold water, with a new verified Twitter handle: @AnthonyWeiner.

"It seemed like a fresh start was in order especially in light of all the new ideas around which I am hoping to drive conversation and debate,” Mr. Weiner wrote in an email to NYC Elects, when asked whether the new twitter account is a step forward that will ultimately serve as a tool to interact with NYC voters. 

CD33 - Stephen Pierson Announces Brooklyn Council Run Against Steve Levin

Surrounded by some 50 friends, family, community supporters and a pair of supporters from the Satmar community at the steps of Borough Hall, Stephen Pierson officially launched his campaign for a seat in the New York City Council to replace incumbent Steve Levin, who was elected in 2009.

Weiner's Successor, Bob Turner Says Weiner As An Opponent is Tough But Not Principled

“He’s smart, he’s feisty, he’s tough, (but) he’s not terribly constrained with principle,”  former Rep. Bob Turner (R-Queens), who ran against Weiner in a 2010 congressional race, told Celeste Katz for The Daily News

During debates, Weiner would play fast and loose with the truth, Turner said. “He often would make up a fact, or state something as fact,” Turner said. “By the time we got through checking it on the Internet and find out it’s bogus ... he’s gone.”

Meet The 'No-Christine' Kelman Sisters Who Are Determined To Stop Quinn

Meet the "No-Christine-Quinn" sisters. Wendy Kelman Neu and Jacqueline Kelman Bisbee, both businesses owners who vow to do whatever it takes to stop Council Speaker Christine Quinn's candidacy for mayor achieve its goal. 

According to Andrew Hawkins in The Insider, the Kelman sisters have so far poured $200,000 into the $1 million "NYC Not 4 Sale" campaign, which had gotten the necessary traction needed to hold on, by airing a television commercials that created some uproar. Ms. Quinn reacted to the first ad, n a fundraising blast to her supporters, where she called it "a disgrace" and blamed "special interests...closely aligned with my opponents." 

Bill de Blasio Gets Boost By Latino/Bronx Endorsement

In what can be seen as a blow to Hispanic pastor and Conservative mayoral candidate, Erick Salgado, Bronx Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda (D-87) today endorsed New York City Public Advocate and Democrat Bill de Blasio for Mayor. Mr. Sepulveda served until recently as chief of staff to Senator Reuben Diaz, who is backing Rev. Erick Salgado for mayor. 

AUDIO: Bill de Blasio: My Philosophy of Government is Based on "Tachlis"

Carrion Lays His Hope Of Entering Local GOP Primary On Foreign Republicans

Adolfo Carrion seems to have a spark of that hope left from working with President Obama, as he lays his hope of getting an entry to contend in the Republican mayoral primary on the RNC, who are hardly to be seen active in NYC politics. 

In a Crain's editorial board meeting Wednesday, former Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrión said that his efforts to land a spot in the Republican mayoral primary has shifted to the top, reaching out to national Republican officials who could help him land the support of at least three city Republican county chairmen, which he needs to run in the GOP primary, Chris Bragg reports. 

Quinnipiac Poll Has Wiener At Runoff Shot; Lhota Fairs Best Against Weiner

Anthony Weiner seemed to have a bumpy entry to the mayoral race, although things can change throughout the season. According to a new Quinnipiac poll released Friday morning, Christine Quinn is still the favorite mayoral candidate among registered democratic primary voters with 28%, yet well short of the 40% threshold to avoid a runoff. Anthony Weiner is in second place with 15%, Bill de Blasio with a mere 11%, Bill thompson with 10% and John Liu with 9%. 

Again, Sal Albanese and Erick Salgado were not included in this poll.