NEW YORK—City Council Speaker Christine Quinn endorsed mayoral candidate Bill de Blasio, whom she fought against in a long and hard campaign for the Democratic party primary nomination.
“I trust Bill de Blasio, I believe he will be a terrific Mayor,” Quinn said at a press conference outside City Hall on Sept. 17.
Quinn said she is willing to help de Blasio with anything he needs prior to the general election Nov. 5. De Blasio said he’s grateful for the offer, and added that he will definitely be asking for help.
“The unity you see today speaks volumes,” de Blasio said. He also said “sorry” to those who wanted to see the Democrats separated.
Sept. 16, second place Bill Thompson, who came in with 26 percent of the votes, also shook hands with de Blasio and endorsed his candidacy.
Before the Sept. 10 primary, a Quinn campaign ad criticizing de Blasio said he is not the Progressive he claims to be, and that New Yorkers need to take a closer look at him.
“Campaigns are about drawing contrasts,” Quinn said about the ads.
De Blasio commended Quinn for being a fierce competitor. “When she’s out on the playing field, she plays hard,” he said.
Quinn came in third in the primaries with 15.5 percent of the votes.
