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NY Mayor Bloomberg Set to Announce Third-Term Bid

by Jarrett Martineau | September 30, 2008 at 12:55 pm | 121 views | 4 comments | 4 recommendations

Mayor Bloomberg at the St.Patricks Day Parade

Michael Bloomberg Takes Press Questions at The Commonwealth Club of California

The NY Times is reporting that New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg will announce his decision to seek a third term as mayor on Thursday.

This decision would constitute a radical about-face for Mr. Bloomberg, who has previously been an ardent supporter of term limits for elected officials.

In order to be legally eligible for a third term, Bloomberg would have to overturn existing laws that prevent him from seeking re-election, a move he is expected to make through legislation in City Council.

After months of speculation about his political future, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg plans to announce on Thursday morning that he will seek a third term as mayor, according to three people who have been told of his plans.

The extraordinary move promises to upend New York City’s political world.

Right now, Mr. Bloomberg is barred by law from seeking re-election. But he will propose trying to revise the city’s 15-year-old term limits law, which would otherwise force him and dozens of other elected leaders out of office in 2009, the three people said.

In his announcement, Mr. Bloomberg, a former Wall Street trader and founder of a billion-dollar financial data firm, is expected to argue that the financial crisis unfolding in New York City demands his steady hand and proven business acumen.

The move represents an about-face for Mr. Bloomberg, who has repeatedly said he supports term limits and once called an effort to revise the law “disgusting.” He will apparently try to do so through legislation in the City Council, rather than the ballot box.

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Wino

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 18:03 on September 30th, 2008

I like him.

djermano

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 19:00 on September 30th, 2008

Jarrett Martineau, I like this story. It's good stuff.

Get out of town Bloomberg.....Run for Governor....we don't need your Mayor skills....stop pandering and get on with the show.

davidpm

at 19:42 on September 30th, 2008

I'm kind of split on Bloomberg. I'm a teacher in NYC public schools. Bloomberg has made a mess of the city schools and cut our budget 3 times in 2 years. On the other hand, he understands how to manage a budget and that's extremely important for a big city. I think he'll get another term, but I'm unsure about how it'll come out.

NYer (not verified)

at 10:55 on October 20th, 2008

Davidpm. What planet are you on? Bloomberg's budget is a mess. He can't manage picking his nose. Pernsions are up 55% taking about 40% of the budget. He doesn't try to cut spening, he just takes more money from the people in some kind of surcharge, tax, whatever. He won't be happy until he gets every penny that every NYer has.