Mayor Mike Bloomberg is planning to endorse Dan Quart, the Democrat running in a special election for a vacant Assembly seat on the Upper East Side, The Politicker has learned.
The move is not entirely unexpected, since Quart has the benefit of a huge registration advantage in the race against Republican Paul Niehaus. Bloomberg had previously endorsed the Democrat who held the seat, Jonathan Bing, who went to take a job in the Cuomo administration.
Bloomberg’s own 79th street townhouse townhouses are in the Assembly district
In a letter passed along to The Politicker, Dan Isaacs, the Manhattan Republican Party chairman, who has been pushing Niehaus hard, laments the independent mayor’s “poor judgment” and accuses him of “trying to put his stamp on electing his chosen Democrats to office.”
Full letter below:
Dear Members of the Executive Committee:
I am writing to let you know that I received a call from Deputy Mayor Howard Wolfson earlier today to advise me that Mayor Bloomberg will endorse the Democrat in the Special Election for the vacant Assembly seat in the 73rd Assembly District.
Although not entirely surprised, I am extremely disappointed in the Mayor’s decision. Given how the Mayor elevated the profile of Speaker Christine Quinn seemingly to that of a “Vice Mayor” during this weekend’s storm, it has become apparent that he is proactively trying to put his stamp on electing his chosen Democrats to office. Mr. Wolfson even acknowledged that the decision was not based on the merits of the candidates.
This is not an obstacle in the race and our campaign strategy remains unchanged. In Paul Niehaus, we have the strongest and most qualified candidate to represent the district. Notwithstanding the Mayor’s poor judgment, we are 100% committed to this candidacy. The voters of this district know that quality counts above all else and will elect Paul to the Assembly two weeks from today. I look forward to seeing each of you at Paul’s fundraiser tonight and over these next 14 days in the campaign headquarters.
Sincerely,
Daniel W. Isaacs
Chairman
New York Republican County Committee
Follow David Freedlander via RSS.
