Opponents Ready to Jump in If Probes Result in Charges
“There are some members of the Jewish community who have been friends and supporters that I disagree with on some issues but we’ve found a huge amount of common ground” said Mayor Bill de Blasio (Photo: AFP/Imagebank)
Bill de Blasio is almost guaranteed a second term as Mayor of New York City in this year’s fall election. Almost — unless a looming criminal investigation into fund-raising practices derails his candidacy and a party rival jumps into the breach.
De Blasio starts with a huge advantage over any potential Republican rival counting on New York City’s overwhelming Democratic majority which includes a coalition of labor unions and minority voters. In last year’s presidential election 80% of city residents cast their ballots for Hillary Clinton. In the Trump era de Blasio has aligned himself with the left wing of the party faithfully joining rallies and protests against the president and establishing himself as a national leader on immigration and policing.
Still ongoing federal and state investigations into his fund-raising practices have put de Blasio’s reelection bid on the rocks. “The mayor’s attacks on President Trump will have little impact on his own electability if there are federal or state criminal charges against the mayor or anyone close to him” Hank Sheinkopf a Democratic campaign strategist said.
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