New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg welcomes “30 Rock” star Alec Baldwin as competition for his political seat, but says the actor first needs to establish a city dwelling.
Responding to rumors that the comedian is mulling over a mayoral campaign, Bloomberg said on his own weekly radio show, “If he wants to run, great.”
Adding that he’s met the NYU graduate several times, Bloomberg said Baldwin could seek office but would have to relocate.
“He’s got time to run, but he’s got to move into the city,” Bloomberg said. “He’s not a city resident.”
(Alec Baldwin: A lot of ’sanctimonious d-bags on HuffPo’)
According to election officials, the comedian is registered to vote in Suffolk County and owns an apartment in Central Park West. His primary residence, however, is in the Hamptons.
Baldwin fueled the buzz that he’ll seek Bloomberg’s seat when he tweeted last week, “It’s a long way till November of 2013.”
At the beginning of this year, Baldwin said on an episode of “Parker/Spitzer” that he was “very, very interested” in pursuing a political position. Last summer, he said something similar to Playboy magazine.
“The desire is there; that’s one component. The other component is opportunity,” Baldwin told the publication. “I have sometimes thought I could move to New Jersey or Connecticut and run. I’d love to run against Joe Lieberman. I have no use for him. But it’s all fantasy.”
Baldwin, who began tweeting a few weeks ago, also recently revamped his website, which includes links to his “Ideas,” “Events,” and “Causes.” The PETA spokesman, whose voice has appeared in a “Meet Your Meat” public service announcement, is politically liberal and has been a Huffington Post contributor for several years.