Politics & Government

Liu Launches Bid for Mayor

City comptroller kicks off campaign from steps of City Hall.

 

City Comptroller John Liu officially kicked off his campaign for mayor on the steps of City Hall this weekend.

Liu will compete in a crowded Democratic primary for the seat this September. His opponents include City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, D-Manhattan, Public Advocate Bill de Blasio and former City Comptroller Bill Thompson.

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“My story is like so many New York stories—it began somewhere else,” Liu told supporters at his campaign kickoff Sunday. “My family immigrated from Taiwan when I was five years old, looking for the same thing countless families have— opportunity. In New York these last 12 years, the rich keep getting filthy rich while far too many New Yorkers can’t even think to get ahead because they’re just trying to get by. That’s not right and that’s not New York. Because this city used to make a promise with us—that every single New Yorker can have the opportunity to succeed. And I’m going to make damn sure that promise is fulfilled.”

Liu, who is the first Asian American to be elected to a citywide office, acted as city councilman for Flushing prior to taking the office of comptroller.

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According to city campaign finance records, Liu has raised a total $3.2 million.

Quinn has brought in $6.5 million, while de Blasio has raised $3.7 million and Thompson has $2.7 million.

Republican contenders in the race include Joseph Lhota, who is former chairman of the Metropolitan Transit Authority, and Joe Catsimatidis, owner of the Red Apple Group.

Lhota has raised $731,000, while Catsimatidis has brought in $15,950, according to campaign finance records.


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