The New York Times looked at the tightening New York City Mayor’s race today, where big endorsements for Bill Thompson from the Working Families Party and DC37 are helping the Comptroller close the gap:
On Thursday, the man regarded as Mr. Bloomberg’s likely Democratic opponent in November, City Comptroller William C. Thompson Jr., scored what was arguably his most significant endorsement yet, winning the fervent backing ofDistrict Council 37, the largest union of city government workers. It was surprising, too, because Mr. Bloomberg, a Democrat-turned-Republican-turned-independent who is now running as a Republican, had won the backing of DC 37 and most other unions in 2005, when he crushedFernando Ferrer.
A few weeks ago, Mr. Thompson surprised the political establishment when he picked up the support of the Working Families Party, a coalition of unions known for its industrious get-out-the-vote operation. The party had stayed neutral in 2005, in what was widely seen as a coup for the mayor.
WFP Executive Director Dan Cantor told the Times why Thompson is closing the gap:
“In ’05, there was no Bloomberg fatigue, and he was generally trusted by voters. Now, there’s a lot of fatigue, and a lingering distrust because of the self-serving move on term limits and a society-wide view that Wall Street played us all for suckers. A lot of voters just don’t relate to him, and compared to ’05 he doesn’t look so invincible. He still has the money, but sometimes rich guys don’t win.”
The WFP endorsed Thompson after an overwhelming vote from members and supporters at the Working Families Party Mayoral Forum back in July. Catch the highlights:
