Quinn Endorses De Blasio For NYC Mayor
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- City Council Speaker Christine Quinn has officially endorsed Bill de Blasio for mayor.
The two appeared together on the steps on City Hall Tuesday afternoon.
De Blasio became the undisputed Democratic nominee Monday after primary runner-up Bill Thompson withdrew from the race.
Quinn Endorses De Blasio For NYC Mayor
In unofficial returns with 99 percent of precincts reporting, de Blasio had 40.3 percent of the vote, slightly more than the 40 percent threshold needed to win outright. Thompson was second with 26.2 percent.
Quinn earned 15 percent of the Democratic vote, putting her at a distant third in the race.
She was asked Tuesday about her campaign statement that New Yorkers should not trust de Blasio.
"We're here today after a campaign and it was a hard-fought campaign by all and campaigns are, at their essence, about drawing contrasts between yourself and your opponent. But I've got to tell you, I trust Bill de Blasio, I believe he will be a terrific mayor for the city of New York," Quinn said.
For his part, de Blasio saluted Quinn's work and acknowledged they saw the term limits issue from opposite sides.
"We understand people are going to have differences. And by the way, I respect Christine Quinn for being a fierce competitor. When she's out on the playing field, she plays hard and I say amen," he said.
Quinn Endorses De Blasio For NYC Mayor
At the end of the endorsement on the City Hall steps, the two shared a hug before Quinn went back to the speaker's office, WCBS 880's Rich Lamb reported.
"It is time for Democrats throughout our city to put aside their differences and fight together for the progressive values we all share," Quinn said.
De Blasio said it was an honor to receive Quinn's support.
"She is a tireless fighter for her constituents and she has always been a powerful voice on so many critical issues," he said. "I look forward to working with her to move our great city forward."
De Blasio will face off against Republican mayoral nominee Joe Lhota in the general election on Nov. 5. Adolfo Carrion Jr., a former Bronx borough president running as an independent, will also be on the ballot for mayor.
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