Mayor De Blasio Explores Gubernatorial Bid, Doesn't Rule Out Run

NEW YORK, NY — Mayor Bill de Blasio is not ruling out a run for governor next year as reports surface that he has started making calls to explore the gubernatorial bid.

When asked Friday about reports that he has started calling allies about the possibility of running in next June's primary, the mayor was tight-lipped about his interest in the office, but was careful not to shoot down the idea.

"I want to keep serving — I've done public service my whole life," he told Brian Lehrer on WNYC. "I'm going to look at the best way to do that and that's a decision I'm going to make in the future....I don't know what that is yet."

Friday's Ask the Mayor question comes after POLITICO and other outlets reported that the mayor has called several labor leaders to gauge support for a bid for the state office.

A New Yorker who Tweeted WNYC said they had gotten a call from a pollster a few days ago asking about the mayor's potential run.

De Blasio would likely need to run against current Gov. Kathy Hochul, who has said she is planning to run in 2022 after taking over for former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who stepped down following a sexual harassment scandal.

The mayor will leave office himself in four months due to term limits.

He said Friday he is focused on leading the Big Apple until that time.

"What I focus on every single day — fighting COVID and bringing the city back — I have four more months to do that in this office," he said. "That’s my focus."