Liz Krueger. (Photo: Getty)
Public Advocate Bill de Blasio's mayoral campaign received a boost this morning in the form of State Senator Liz Krueger's official support.
"I know all of the candidates and I've been ... listening to their vision for where they want to take the City of New York if they were to win," she told Politicker, citing affordable housing and education. "I find myself--on topic after topic--being most consistently in agreement with Bill de Blasio."
Ms. Krueger's endorsement likely carries more weight than the average pol as she's a well-known brand on the Upper East Side, a neighborhood that sports a large pool of active Democratic voters. (Another mayoral candidate, Council Speaker Christine Quinn, has earned Upper East Side Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney's backing.)
For her part, Ms. Krueger said she was excited by what she called a "surge" in the de Blasio campaign, which has suddenly seen a boost in public polling since former Congressman Anthony Weiner's own bid imploded after another sexting scandal last month.
"When I talk to people--not just in my community but citywide--I think there's a recognition of, 'Gee [I] didn't really know who he was.' But now that there's been more and more media attention to the different candidates as we get closer and closer, I think people are thinking, 'I really agree with that guy de Blasio. Tell me more,'" she said.
Ms. Krueger further addressed the increasing spectacle of this year's election season, featuring not only Mr. Weiner's brouhaha but Monday's arrest of long-shot comptroller candidate Kristin Davis on drug charges.
“Did anyone think that she was a serious candidate without some problems going on there, with all due respect?" Ms. Krueger asked. “Some of the candidates who are running you sort of just go, 'Really?' It's the Mayor of New York City we're talking about."
Still, as the State Legislature has experienced more than its fair share of its own scandals, Ms. Krueger said she's no longer quite as bewildered by the bad behavior of public officials.
"I come from the New York State Senate," she added, "so I'd be lying if I told you I hadn't seen it all or been surprised. Pick a month. Pick a year."