TL/DR –
Former Bronx assemblyman and Obama White House aide, Michael Blake announced his intention to run for the mayor’s race in New York against Eric Adams. Blake is the seventh candidate to enter the race and his campaign will focus on the high cost of living and quality-of-life issues for residents. His previous legislative accomplishments include passing a law to expedite payment for small minority- and women-owned businesses and a “raise the age” law changing the age of criminal responsibility.
Ex-Obama Aide Joins NYC Mayoral Race
Former Bronx assemblyman Michael Blake, once an Obama White House aide, has launched his campaign for NYC Mayor, increasing competition for incumbent Eric Adams. The announcement marks the seventh prominent challenger for the Democratic mayoral primary in June.
Other notable contenders include City Comptroller Brad Lander, Ex-Comptroller Scott Stringer, Brooklyn state Sen. Zellnor Myrie, Queens state Sen. Jessica Ramos, Queens Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, and attorney Jim Walden.
In an interview with The New York Times, Blake’s campaign highlighted plans to address NYC’s high cost of living and quality-of-life concerns.
A Bronx native, Blake represented the 79th District of the New York state Assembly for three terms (2014-2020), and served as the vice chair at-large of the Democratic National Committee (2017-2021).
In prior races, Blake unsuccessfully challenged Rep. Ritchie Torres in 2020 and landed fourth in a 2019 special election for NYC Public Advocate among 17 candidates.
Blake’s campaign site emphasizes his success in passing legislation to accelerate state payments to small minority- and women-owned businesses with fewer than 300 employees. He also championed the “raise the age” law that increased the age of criminal responsibility to prevent 16- and 17-year-olds from being tried as adults.
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