Still more big news today:
Former Comptroller William C. Thompson Jr., who lost to Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg in an unexpectedly close race in November, said on Tuesday that he had decided to run for mayor again in four years.
"I am not running for office this year; it is my intention to run for mayor in 2013," he said in an interview. "While I have been flattered by the large number of people who have reached out to me to suggest that I run statewide this year, the issues I raised in New York City - the need for good-paying jobs and closing the affordability gap - those are issues I still feel strongly about."
"While it's a great state, I grew up in the city and love the city, and feel like I am uniquely qualified to be the mayor," he said.
This is certainly one of the earliest imaginable announcements for any race, well, ever - but it's probably the strongest move Thompson can make. All of the other races he was reportedly considering - against Kirsten Gillibrand for Senate, against Tom DiNapoli for state Comptroller, or against Charlie Rangel for the 15th CD House seat - would have involved primarying an incumbent, and a loss in any of those would likely have been a career-ender. Thompson may yet have to deal with a contested Dem primary for the mayoral race in four years' time, but with this announcement, he's the instant front-runner, and probably gives pause to other would-be contenders.
The person probably happiest about this right now is Gillibrand, who has managed to avoid primary challenges from a whole hell of a lot of people. The unhappiest? I'm guessing Rep. Anthony Weiner. While I'd expect him to try running again in 2013, Thompson now has a lot of cred as the guy who dared to take on Bloombo (and almost won) when no one else was willing. I'm not generally one to care about "waiting one's turn," but I think a lot of people who matter will feel that Thompson has earned a second shot, while Weiner bailed when the chips were down.
But about that Gillibrand streak of luck...
Encouraged by a group of influential New York Democrats, Harold Ford Jr., the former congressman from Tennessee, is weighing a bid to unseat Senator Kirsten E. Gillibrand in this fall's Democratic primary, according to three people who have spoken with him.
http://www.swingstateproject.com/diary/6137/nycmayor-thompson-to-run-again-in-2013
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