De Blasio Run For NY Governor Looks Increasingly Likely

NEW YORK CITY — Bill de Blasio looks increasingly less like a lame duck mayor and more like a gubernatorial candidate.

Whispers that de Blasio will run for New York's governor grew to full-throated shouting after he formed a candidate committee for an unspecified office last week — the creation of which was first reported by Politico.

De Blasio has played coy about a potential run for governor. But in an interview Monday with NY1's Errol Louis he adopted a slightly more explicit approach.

"This committee is a vehicle that I'll be using to get the message out about things we need to do differently in New York City and New York State," he said. "There's a lot of changes, a lot of things that need to be fixed in Albany. I'm quite clear about that. And I've experienced them as mayor, things we couldn't get done because of the wrong kind of government in Albany. So, I will aggressively put out my ideas. And you know, each thing in its own time, but I'm really looking forward to getting into this bigger discussion about where the state is going."

The New York Post followed the interview with a report that three unnamed "sources" said de Blasio indeed plans to run for governor in 2022.

De Blasio faced several questions during his daily briefing Tuesday about a potential gubernatorial bid. He didn't confirm the run, but also didn't deny it.

“I have started a committee that’s going to be a vehicle to talk about the issues that are facing this state and this city,” he said.

Two other prominent New York City politicians — state Attorney General Letitia James and the city's Public Advocate Jumaane Williams — also plan to run for governor. De Blasio, when asked if he'd be in competition with James and Williams for New York City votes, vaguely said voters will have "plenty of time" to look at issues and contrasts.

“We don’t know what the future brings in terms of who is going to be a candidate for which office, but I think when people get a chance to hear all different perspectives, that’s what really decides elections," he said. "In the end, that’s why we have a discussion, that’s why we have a debate.”