Former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio has announced that he will make a bid for a rare, open seat in the city.
“Joe, people are hurting, they need help fast, and they need leaders who can actually get them help now and know how to do it,” de Blasio said. “I do know how to do it from years of serving the people of this city. So today I’m declaring my candidacy for Congress in the tenth congressional district of New York.”
De Blasio served as mayor of New York City for two terms, but was ineligible to make another run for the spot this year.
During his second term, de Blasio inaugurated several controversial COVID-19 lockdowns and vaccine mandates that saw many businesses shuttered for good.
In December 2021, just before leaving office, de Blasio instituted one of the most wide-reaching vaccine mandates in the nation, requiring that all New Yorkers five years old and up show proof of vaccination to enter indoor dining, fitness, and entertainment establishments.
De Blasio’s move to pursue an election bid was not unexpected.
He wrote: “Our neighborhoods need help as we recover from COVID. Our nation needs help as democracy is threatened and working people struggle. I am ready to serve to continue the fight against inequality. Today I am forming an Exploratory Committee for the new #NY10.”
Currently, the tenth district is seated by Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.). However, in light of the 2020 census, Nadler’s district will be moved, and the tenth district now includes de Blasio’s Brooklyn home.
Nadler, who has long held the seat, announced that he will vacate it in advance of the 2022 midterms and will instead pursue a reelection bid in the 12th district against former Democrat Rep. Carolyn Maloney.
De Blasio, whose COVID-19 policies brought him to national attention during his mayorship, is the most prominent of likely contenders. Other possible challengers include an array of state-level legislators.
However, de Blasio may have some trouble winning support in the newly-drawn district, whose boundaries are set to be finalized on May 20.
The district includes substantially few black voters, who provided a core base that helped to propel de Blasio to victory during his two bids for mayor.
Now, only 8 percent of voting-age residents in the district are black, compared to 20 percent who are Asian, 37 percent who are Hispanic, and 31 percent who are white.
The announcement immediately drew commentary from several prominent political commentators online.
“Hey, Bill De Blasio—just no,” she wrote.
The announcement is the latest bid by de Blasio to return to politics.
Earlier this year, de Blasio mulled over challenging fellow Democrat Kathy Hochul for the New York governor’s mansion, which she took up after disgraced former Gov. Andrew Cuomo was forced to resign.
