NYC Official Seems To Think De Blasio Ending His Presidential Bid Is Best

NEW YORK (WCBS 880) — Mayor Bill de Blasio won’t be on the democratic debate stage Thursday night and he says if he can’t make the one in October, he may drop out of the race, which one local lawmaker seems to think is the best idea.

When asked whether the city has been hurt by Mayor de Blasio’s presidential campaign, City Council Speaker Corey Johnson attempted to hide behind his podium, according to WCBS 880’s Mike Smeltz, getting some laughs from his fellow council members.

The council speaker would not say directly say whether the city was hurt by the mayor’s political ambitions, but did acknowledge that it was difficult for de Blasio to split his attention on the city and the race.

“He didn’t know what the timing was going to be, but you saw it when the blackout happened,” Johnson said. “He was just serendipitously in Iowa at the time, and he wasn’t here.”

He adds, “These things happen if you’re going to be out of town and you’re going to run for office.”

The mayor says if he doesn’t qualify for next month’s debates, it would be “tough to conceive” continuing to run.