Former Mayor de Blasio Decides not to Run for Congressional Seat in 11th District

By Yehudit Garmaise

Former Mayor Bill de Blasio has decided not to run for the 11th District U.S. Congressional seat, which is now occupied by US Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, (R-Staten Island), he announced in a tweet.

"It was gratifying to connect with community and elected leaders, while I considered a run," said de Blasio, who added that he loves the people who live in his district, which has been newly drawn to include his Park Slope neighborhood, Gowanus, and Sunset Park, which added three more liberal areas to the previously more conservative Congressional electorate.

Just weeks ago, reports were circulating that the NYC’s former mayor was planning in the Democratic primary for the seat to challenge Max Rose, the former incumbent, who said months ago that he was preparing for a re-match against Rep. Malliotakis in November in the midterm elections.

Rose, who tweeted on Feb. 1, “Former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio has never been my biggest fan, but now he might be my primary opponent,” might be the happiest person in New York City to hear that the former mayor is not planning to run. 

“I know, I laughed at first too, but the implications aren’t funny,” Rose said two weeks ago.

“Back in January,” de Blasio tweeted today, “I made a decision to focus on advocating for policies that would continue to drive down income inequality in New York: one of my proudest achievements.

“I'm going to stick with that decision: it was the right one then, and it remains so.

“I'm certain a progressive can win this seat and serve us in Washington,” said the former mayor, who also  tested the political waters of the governor's race, before unpromising poll results and difficulties raising money likely led to his announcement that would not run.