NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer Endorses Elizabeth Warren

NEW YORK — New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer on Monday became the latest local official to endorse Elizabeth Warren for president over Mayor Bill de Blasio. Stringer, a Democrat, praised the Massachusetts senator's child care plan in a statement backing her White House bid "with enthusiasm."

"Elizabeth Warren has proposed the boldest child care plan of any presidential candidate in history, because she's fighting to put economic power back in the hands of working people and ensure equality starts on day one," Stringer said in the statement, adding that he looks forward "to working with her to deliver a better future for all of our children."

Stringer joins City Council members Brad Lander and Antonio Reynoso in supporting Warren over de Blasio even though the mayor has a similar message of putting "working people first." Warren is among the crowded Democratic race's frontrunners while de Blasio failed to qualify for this week's presidential debate.

While Stringer and de Blasio have sparred over local issues in recent years, the comptroller shares some policy priorities with Warren. The senator's proposal for universal child care and early education funded by a wealth tax aligns with Stringer's plan to expand child care subsidies for kids younger than 3 with money from a new payroll tax.

Stringer has been a thorn in de Blasio's side as he reportedly mulls a run for mayor himself in 2021. The comptroller has criticized the de Blasio administration over its handling of public housing infrastructure, its affordable housing initiatives, hurricane recovery spending and other issues. The mayor has hit back, saying in March that Stringer is "often wrong about his facts."

"With all due respect to the comptroller, we consistently disagree with his analysis," de Blasio said then in response to a question about Stringer's criticism of the city's mental health initiative, Thrive NYC.