Upper West Side City Council Rep Endorses Bill de Blasio For 2nd Term

UPPER WEST SIDE, NY — Seven members of the New York City Council — including Upper West Side representative Helen Rosenthal — endorsed Mayor Bill de Blasio's campaign for re-election this weekend.

In her endorsement, Rosenthal praised de Blasio for fighting to secure a $15 minimum wage for city employees.

"I've experienced first hand the Mayor's commitment to all New Yorkers," Rosenthal said in a statement. "Not only has Mayor de Blasio secured funding for all City employees at $15 per hour, employees of social service providers--those that have contracts with the city for senior services, day care, and services for the disabled--will be lifted to $15 per hour as well. He's laser focused on lifting all boats. The impact of these wage increases for over 50,000 employees, will be felt by New Yorkers in every borough.”

De Blasio defeated former mayoral nominee Bill Thompson, former city council speaker Christine Quinn and former comptroller John Liu in the 2013 Democratic primary. De Blasio handily defeated former MTA chairman Joe Lohta in the general election.

As for the 2017election? The full picture isn't clear yet, as many potential opponents have yet declare whether or not they will run.

Some early challengers have stepped forward including Queens State Senator Tony Avella and former city councilman Sal Albanese, according to the New York City Campaign Finance Board. In a Democratic stronghold like New York City the winner of a Democratic primary election often takes the general election, but Republicans did enjoy 16 recent years of control under former mayors Rudy Giuliani and Michael Bloomberg.

"I am proud to have the support of these seven strong progressive leaders," de Blasio said in a statement.

"From communities across the City to the Council Chambers, no one works harder or fights more effectively for New Yorkers and working families, and the progress we have made these past three years would have been impossible without their dedication and support. Together, I know we will keep making New York a stronger, fairer city."

Photo by Kevin Case/Flickr/CC by 3.0