After being snubbed by the Clinton campaign, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio is planing to endorse Hillary Clinton for president, a source close to the mayor told various outlets.
De Blasio ran Clinton’s Senate campaign in 2000 and is said to be close to both the former secretary of state and her husband, former president Bill Clinton. However, he held back on endorsing the Democratic presidential front-runner to the chagrin of fellow Democrats.
Hours before the news of the expected endorsement, Politico reported that de Blasio was not included in Clinton’s New York “leadership council” team. The committee consists of 100 members, including all 18 Democratic members of Congress from New York, both U.S. senators, as well as every citywide elected official from New York City — except de Blasio.
“Having known and worked with her for more than two decades, I know in my head and heart that Hillary Clinton is the most qualified and capable candidate to become our next President,” Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who is currently feuding with de Blasio over city issues, told Politico. “Hillary’s record as a tireless fighter for middle class families, civil rights, and putting people over special interests make it clear that she will be a president who moves New York and our country forward.”
De Blasio skipped Clinton’s launch rally in June and did not attend another major Clinton speech in Manhattan in April.