De Blasio Blasts Scott Stringer Over Public Housing: 'Breathtaking How Little He Understands'

NEW YORK, NY — The 2017 mayoral election may have just gotten its first salvo fired. Mayor Bill de Blasio blasted Comptroller Scott Stringer on "The Brian Lehrer Show" on WNYC on Friday, laying bare the rivalry between the two that could culminate in the Democratic primary for mayor next year.

Lehrer, who had Stringer as a guest on Thursday, played a clip from the comptroller talking about the city — and mayor — ignoring his suggestion to use vacant lots to build affordable housing.

De Blasio did not hold back in his response.

"I think it’s breathtaking how little the comptroller understands about this issue," de Blasio said. "We’ve gone over this publicly many times."

Stringer wasted no time in firing back, however. Later that after, the comptroller issued a statement calling the mayor "petty" and "hapless."

“What’s breathtaking is the mayor’s haplessness in solving major problems facing our city," Stringer said. "While he makes petty personal attacks, I will continue to put forth new ideas and common sense solutions.”

The issue likely goes much deeper than just a disagreement between two politicians. There are heavy rumors Stringer will run against de Blasio in next year's Democratic primary. He hasn't outright committed to running, but Stringer himself would not rule it out in a Thursday speech to the Association for a Better New York. Stringer dodged the question, telling reporters he was "in the Hillary Zone" when asked about running.

Stringer's office identified 1,100 vacant lots — 90 percent of which have been vacant for 20 years — which he says could be used to build 57,000 units of affordable housing.

"We’ve made clear that there’s a very substantial number of publicly owned lots that are being developed for affordable housing. There are others that physically can’t be because of health and safety issues, because of logistical issues," de Blasio told Lehrer and his listeners. "Of course, we have the largest affordable housing plan in the history of New York City, and the fastest and most ambitious one. Of course, all of our affordable housing leaders in this administration have been looking for every conceivable piece of land in New York City, public or otherwise. And you know, the comptroller is being disingenuous. If he read any of the reports and wasn’t grandstanding, it would be quite clear that this is something we’re already addressing."

Stringer, 56, was elected New York City comptroller in 2013 — at the same time de Blasio was elected mayor. He was a member of the New York State Assembly from 1993 to 2005 and the Manhattan Borough President until 2013.

Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams and Rep. Hakeem Jeffries are among a long list of Democrats who have also been rumored to be interested in a 2017 mayoral run.

Photo Credit: Kevin Case via Flickr/Creative Commons