After months of coy flirtation, former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said Tuesday, January 18, 2022, he will not run for governor.
For months, De Blasio had done nothing to tamp down the “will he or won’t he” speculation, filing paperwork to lay the groundwork for a campaign and telling supporters he was strongly considering a run — but also steadfastly refusing to answer questions about whether he was actually in, or when he’d decide.
The two-term mayor would have faced an uphill battle in a crowded primary that includes Gov. Kathy Hochul, NYC Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, and Long Island, Rep. Tom Suozzi.
Earlier Tuesday, a new Siena College poll put De Blasio some 34 points behind Hochul in a theoretical primary matchup.
That same poll found the former mayor had a net favorability rating of -23, nearly 40 points behind the governor and one of the lowest for any politician or political body in the state.
