Thompson To Run For Mayor Again

Well, that didn't take long at all. Just two months after he lost in a closer-than-expected race against Mayor Bloomberg, former city comptroller Bill Thompson says he will run for the city's highest office again. Despite rumors he would take on Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, or run for state comptroller, Thompson told the Times: "I am not running for office this year; it is my intention to run for mayor in 2013."

"While I have been flattered by the large number of people who have reached out to me to suggest that I run statewide this year, the issues I raised in New York City — the need for good-paying jobs and closing the affordability gap — those are issues I still feel strongly about," he told the paper. Thompson's surprisingly good performance at the polls — especially considering that Bloomberg outspent his campaign by a ration of 14 to 1 — has raised his stature in Democratic circles, meaning he won't be the underdog this time, he told NY1. "I was working at a disadvantage and an uphill battle. So I think from the beginning both the political pundits and the reporters as well as pollsters overlooked some things and missed some things, missed the desire of people all across the city for change and I don't think that will happen again."

Meanwhile the Village Voice puts together a very interesting piece about behind-the-scenes connections between Thompson and Bloomberg, focusing mainly on Thompson's wife's pet project, the Museum For African Art. The weekly reports that the Mayor has "directed or triggered between $43 million and $51 million in public and personal subsidies," including $2 million of city funds in the middle of the campaign to the museum — perhaps in exchange for Thompson entering the race and scaring away Weiner, who many considered a more formidable opponent.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Ben Muessig in News on January 6, 2010 12:20 PM

Comments [rss]

inoyourider

Good, hopefully he can get his message out better this time.

He seems like a decent guy.

JacqueMehoff

Not that I don't think Thompson can do a good job as mayor.

to be honest, I believe the city can run itself.

and I have a feeling other people believe that too. yes, I've seen people infer that notion.

How Ya Doin

Maybe in the next 4 years he can enunciate a position on something, other than he is not Bloomberg.

leon

rev billy doesn't have a problem ... only solutions

leon

if you look about 2 stories up - at the post about the disney store in times sq - you'll see at the very end, a mention of the great Rev. Billy. a man who, if elected would have been the greatest, most intelligent mayor this city had ever seen. a man who knows about the importance of community and the people who make up our communities. a man who cares about our quality of life, our planet, our present, our future. what? you say you care about these same issues ??

NannyState

Rev. Billy's problem is that he sucks at retail politics.

FelixtheCat & Christine Quinn'

agreed but his obstacle was the apathy and lack of knowledge of the voters. Voters follow the sound bites of the corrupted media. Rev. Billy would have been awesome.

whatsd

Bloomberg will probably choose to extend his term by another 4 years, so I wouldn't count on being mayor if I were Thompson.

JacqueMehoff

sorry mr. thompson I gave you a chance last time.

until you've shown you got balls, you may get my vote again.

You knew bloomberg rattled out lie after lie and you didn't hit back. for chrissakes you were the comptroller, twice. use what you got on the bloomberg administration.

bloomturd kept harping on the city pension system doing badly which it wasn't. badly is the system in California.

FelixtheCat & Christine Quinn'

I feel the same way. I don't like John Liu but I hope he goes after Bloomberg's no bid contracts and slush funds. However, I doubt it since Liu sells to the highest bidder.

JacqueMehoff

Regarding Thompson, everyone says he would lose and the odds are against him winning. with that type of negativity against you, YOU go out with a Nothing to lose and everything to gain attitude. You got Nothing to lose.

so show the people you have balls.

thompson didn't have the fire in him to do that.

again, I point to the stupid back and forth debate on the city's pension performance.

FelixtheCat & Christine Quinn'

but a small part of me thinks that Thompson was afraid of the media backlash. Do you recalled how he gave Bloomberg a D rating and how Bloomberg's papers NY Times, New Joke Post and Daily News and NY1 and others all when after Thompson. How Bloomberg's paid supporters including reverends criticize thompson as negative and vindictive.

JacqueMehoff

I know, I was going to mention that.

another stupid question that means nothing but the press ate it up.

Blue387

As I said last time, I hope the Obama administration appoints Thompson to a cushy ambassadorship in the Caribbean. Far from New York.

Ember79

Waste of time... I fear he's mistaken Bloomberg-grief for Thompson-love.

JenChungsBaby

For real. If there was such a thing as Thompson-love then he might actually have won.

themercenary

I'm sticking with the Rent is too Damn High Party. At least they have some funk.

Chuck Schumer's Fat

Quick! Someone not in the corrupt, thieving political machines of either the New York City Democratic, Republican or Bloomberg parties head this guy off at the pass!

JenChungsBaby

And how exactly does he intend to keep himself relevant during the next few years? It's not easy to run for the highest office when you're not in office already (unless you have name recognition and $20 billion in the bank).