Next year’s mayoral election will be even more crowded. Michael Blake, a former Bronx councilman and former close ally of President Obama, has announced his intention to challenge Mayor Eric Adams.
Blake is the seventh prominent challenger to enter the race, with the candidate planning to run in the Democratic mayoral primary in June.
Also announcing campaigns were City Auditor Brad Lander, former Auditor Scott Stringer, Brooklyn State Sen. Zellner Miley, Queens State Sen. Jessica Ramos, and Queens Borough Councilman Zoran. Mamdani and prominent lawyer Jim Walden.
In an interview with The New York Times, his campaign said Blake plans to focus on the city’s high cost of living and quality of life issues.
Blake, a Bronx native, served three terms representing New York State Assembly District 79 from 2014 to 2020. He also served as vice chairman of the Democratic National Committee from 2017 to 2021.
Blake lost the 2020 election to Congressman Ritchie Torres and finished fourth out of 17 candidates in the 2019 New York City hearing special election.
Blake’s campaign website touts his signature bill that would pay state-contracted minority- and women-owned small businesses with fewer than 300 employees in 15 days instead of 30. There is.
Blake also fought for the passage of “raise the age” laws that would raise the age of criminal responsibility so that 16- and 17-year-olds cannot be tried as adults in criminal court.
