Democratic State Senator Avella Announces NYC Mayoral Bid
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork.AP) -- State Sen. Tony Avella has announced his intent to challenge New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio in the 2017 mayoral election.
The Queens Democrat launched his campaign on Sunday at a hotel in Queens that is used to house homeless people. Avella has been a fierce critic of the Democratic mayor's handling of the homeless crisis.
On Sunday, Avella claimed that under de Blasio there are more homeless than ever. He also blasted high taxes, backed free tuition at CUNY for city residents and said locals should have more control over what happens in their neighborhoods.
Avella previously ran for mayor in 2009. He has been a State Senator of the 11th district since 2010.
De Blasio has come under fire lately. He's reportedly facing two separate grand jury investigations into his campaign fundraising practices.
U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara is looking into whether de Blasio and his aides doled out favors to donors to his 2013 election campaign.
A separate state investigation, led by Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance, is focusing on whether the de Blasio Administration illegally funneled big bucks campaign contributions to upstate campaign committees in an unsuccessful bid to regain Democratic control of the state senate in 2014, WCBS 880's Marla Diamond reported.
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