Disgraced ex-congressman Weiner says he's running for NYC mayor
(CNN) – It’s official.
After months of speculation, former U.S. Rep. Anthony Weiner announced in a YouTube video posted to his campaign website late Tuesday that he is running for mayor of New York City.
“Look, I’ve made some big mistakes and I know I’ve let a lot of people down. But I’ve also learned some tough lessons,” Weiner says in the video. “I’m running for mayor because I’ve been fighting for the middle class and those struggling to make it for my entire life. And I hope I get a second chance to work for you.”
His campaign told CNN he does not have any events planned for Wednesday.
Now that Weiner is in the race, the Democrat will undoubtedly face questions from voters and fellow candidates about the 2011 scandal that eventually led to his resignation from Congress.
His political career was derailed after he was found sending lewd photos and messages to multiple women. At first he lied, claiming his Twitter was hacked, but he later admitted to the indiscretions and left the House of Representatives.
But the former congressman from Brooklyn says he’s hoping for a second chance, and has been not-so-quietly testing the waters about a mayoral bid in recent months.
Rumors began swirling in January, after a filing with the New York City Campaign Finance Board revealed that Weiner’s mayoral campaign committee, created ahead of his unsuccessful bid for the Democratic nomination in the 2005 race, had a healthy $4.5 million cash pile.
Weiner later admitted in a lengthy, repentant New York Times Magazine profile in April that he was eyeing the mayor’s race, and confirmed that his political committee had spent more than $100,000 on polling and research.
Also in April, Weiner released a detailed plan outlining his ideas for the city. Called “Keys to the City,” the document, which appears to be a reworked version of a plan Weiner released during his 2009 campaign, lays out 64 ideas to revitalize New York City’s middle class.
Weiner asks New Yorkers for feedback on his plan in his video announcement, which also features a rare appearance from his wife Huma Abedin.
A longtime aide to former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Abedin stayed mostly silent throughout her husband’s scandal, but has been publicly expressing support for his political comeback of late.
“We love this city, and no one will work harder to make it better than Anthony,” Huma says in the video.
This will be Weiner’s third run for mayor of the Big Apple – he ran in 2005 and launched a bid in 2009, but later dropped out when the city council extended the mayor's term limits, allowing incumbent Michael Bloomberg to run again.
Two polls conducted in April indicated that Weiner would jump to second place in the race for Democratic nomination, but would still trail by double digits frontrunner Christine Quinn, the city council president.
Asked about Weiner's candidacy at a forum in New York Wednesday, Quinn wouldn't mention her new rival by name.
"This race, I don't care who's in it, is about what the candidates have done for New York's middle class and what our vision is for New York's middle class moving forward," Quinn said. "And I don't care who enters the race. Nobody has a better, stronger, clearer record of delivering for working class and middle class New Yorkers than I do, and nobody has the set of specific ideas, plans and visions like I do."
–Kevin Liptak, Ashley Killough, Paul Steinhauser and Leigh Remizowski contributed to this report.
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Well, he is a Democrat. That absolves him from any past indiscretions....
Don't these guys have any shame
Spare yourself the embarrassment. Christine Quinn will be our next mayor...full stop.
A disgraced weiner as mayor of New York is perfect. I hope he wins.
I never understood why he was kicked out of congess he wasnt caught doing anything illegal. So many corrupt members of congress and we focus on stupid crap like this.
This guy must have a hole in his head! I'm sure he is just trying to test the waters for himself, can't imagine any party would back him.
Huma would have a better chance than Weiner. Now he's going to drag her through more muck...what a sterling fellow, pathetic.
Ya know the scary thing? People will vote for this dinkus
All of these political "comeback" clowns should be sent on their way. Everyone knows they are proven liars, cheaters and otherwise. How any of them can be re-elected is a national disgrace.
This is the arrogance of our Politicians today. No Shame!
Liberal Democrats will vote for him. They have no moral compass.
Headline: Weiner Reemerges!
If Anthony "who says what's in a name?" Weiner signs a pledge that he'll get rid of these stupid bike paths then he's got my vote. Heck, I'd even work on his campaign.
I guess he has larger ones than were shown on the phone pix.
If he were in the service he would be drummed out.
You NY putzes, remember his past bad decisions. This would seem to be yet another.
Not a chance.
Well, it's New York. Suitable there but not here.
We know Weiner's mental state...total narcissist. Why else would he be will to put his wife through the humiliation that's about to come her way.
Disgraced, you thing he feels disgraced ?? LOL
Weiner and his little Weiner! What a pair! God help us!
Washington DC twice elected a convicted crack head, why wouldn't Mr. Weiner have the same opportunity. After all, "You can't fix stupid". Look at the voters.
No way he should get a second chance. That's his personality that you can not change.. you may be good for sometime but it is in the DNA. Good luck!
The fact that the democrats consider him a possible mayor tells you the most about this party. Good Luck America
He's the perfect democrat.
Even more disgraceful to be his supporters.
Clueless, absolutely clueless.
Disgraced?: I wouldn't go that far when you have an adulterer and not a candidate of the year award recipient for best father or politician in SC is heading to DC.
Weiner fought hard for the first responders for whom congress didn't want to pay medical bills for the after effects of cleaning up the twin towers. He IS for the middle class and unlike the Appalachian hiking in Argentina governor he seems to have learned hi lesson and doesn't think he needs to try again and again until he gets it right.