Politics

Obama’s Budget Director Considering New York Mayoral Bid

REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

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Juliegrace Brufke Capitol Hill Reporter
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Office of Management and Budget Director Shaun Donovan is reportedly considering challenging New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio in the 2017 primary.

An adviser to former Mayor Michael Bloomberg is leading the effort to get Donovan into office in the wake of de Blasio’s criticism of President Barrack Obama for being late on concentrating on income inequalityPolitico first reported.

Donovan, who also served as Obama’s Housing and Urban Development secretary and commissioner of the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development under Bloomberg, could pose a major threat to de Blasio’s chances of retaining his position – especially with those two key endorsements, should he choose to run.

De Blasio’s approval rating has slipped dramatically since he took office. The latest Quinnipiac poll shows just four out of 10 New Yorkers approve of his job performance.

The survey shows while the mayor may not be popular among those residing in his city, he is still polling ahead of potential Democratic primary challengers, former City Council Speaker Christine Quinn and City Comptroller Scott Stringer.

De Blasio’s contentious relationship with New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo could also pose a problem, as Donovan has worked closely with the governor in the past.

As noted by Politico, the race would not be a shoo-in for Donovan as he has never held public office and, while he is a native New Yorker, hasn’t resided in the city for eight years.

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