Spitzer to run against madam
Updated 9:32 p.m. ET 7/8/2013
(CNN) – Gracie Mansion isn't the only contested hotspot for political redemption in New York City this year.
The day after former New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer announced his campaign for city comptroller, he was issued a direct challenge for the post by a woman who says she was the madam who supplied him with escorts.
Self-described "ex-madam" Kristin Davis used Spitzer's campaign to once again announce her already-declared candidacy for comptroller on Monday.
"Eliot Spitzer broke state and federal laws in his use of prostitutes and paid no penalty; I broke the law and paid my debt to society," Davis, who served four months in prison, said in a statement. "There cannot be two standards of justice, one for the average citizen and another for the political and social elite."
Spitzer, a Democrat, resigned as governor in 2008 amidst a scandal surrounding his use of prostitutes.
Spitzer: 'You need skin as thick as a rhinoceros'
Davis, a former hedge fund senior vice president, first filed with the city campaign finance board in September of 2012 to run for city-wide office. The exact post she was seeking was not specified at the time. She filed to run specifically for comptroller in June, according to the board. Her campaign now needs at least 3,750 signatures to qualify for the ballot.
This is not Davis' first go at public office, nor her first time using the title of "Elliot Spitzer's madam" in her campaign. She ran as a protest candidate for New York governor in 2010.
Self-avowed madam who claims Spitzer ties is running for NY governor
Now running as a Libertarian with a plan to legalize marijuana in New York City, Davis first announced her campaign in April. She did so in a release challenging the other major candidate for city comptroller, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer.
"I have more financial management experience than either Eliot Spitzer or Scott Stringer," Davis said in her statement Monday. "They are both career politicians looking to use the office of Comptroller as a stepping stone to higher office."
Stringer had originally been considered a candidate for mayor until he instead announced a candidacy for comptroller. He left a crowded field of mayoral contenders that has become increasingly complicated, particularly by the official candidacy of former Congressman Anthony Weiner.
Weiner quickly found himself at the head of the race for the Democratic primary, polls show. This despite having resigned from office in 2011 after he was caught sending lewd photos of himself on Twitter.
Polls: Weiner gaining ground in NYC mayoral battle
Spitzer and Weiner make two current New York City candidates whose sexual improprieties led to falls from power. And they are not alone.
This has become the season of political resurrection, a season best exemplified by Republican Rep. Mark Sanford's successful campaign for the U.S House of Representatives.
When politics gives you a second chance
In 2010 and 2011, Spitzer co-hosted a political talk show on CNN.
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Um, yeah.....Mark Sanford DID NOT resign as SC Governor, he finished out his term. But, hey....who needs truth in the media, right? If it makes the story look good, then go for it.
is there any woman in new york that would vote for this dirt ball???
Which restaurant will be the first to make a WeinerSwitzer plate in place of weinersnitzel.
This is great. If we could only get Bill Clinton to move to the city and run for something.
Hang in there Elliott. You were a good Governor and a good Attorney General. Glad to see you are getting back on the horse.
what a joke NYC has become.
@anonymous – You just can't make this stuff up!!! NYC is a biggest politcal cesspool in the country next to Chicago. It is what you end up with when Democrats are running the show.
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Isn't Bloomberg a Republican turned Independent. Ah, heck – why let reality ruin a perfect right wing post?
Is this really the best you can churn out NYC? Where are your ethical citizens? Romney didn't run an unethical business. If you vote for either of these morons, then you get what you deserve....a corrupt city government.
The fact that either of these two people would even show their faces in public is disgusting enough...we need legislation that no one that commits crimes can regain any office period....NYC and State are proof that government is a prop only.....the rich run everything and have been perfecting modern slavery for years now....the middle class being the modern slave.....that why these guys get in and cant wait to commit a crime for money ! let them all rot in hell for all they put us thru!
That's right anonymous! That's exactly what you get when democrats are running the show.
I know too, because I also have a Koch Bros enema sticking out of me!
Remember the Libertarian motto!
Go libertarian or we'll change the rules on how you vote!