Mayor Lobbies City GOP Over Ballot Nod

By: Grace Rauh

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Mayor Michael Bloomberg met with high ranking members of the city's GOP Wednesday in an attempt to solidify his spot on the Republican line come November. NY1's Grace Rauh filed the following report.

He arrived at the meeting with campaign aides in tow. But when Mayor Michael Bloomberg sat down with the five county leaders of the city's Republican party, he was all on his own.

"I said, last two times I ran, I ran on the Republican line and I'd be honored to run again and we'll see what they decide to do," said Bloomberg.

The mayor hoped the closed door powwow would put him on better footing with at least three of the five GOP chairmen, giving him access to the Republican ballot line even though he's no longer a party member.

But winning over party leaders is proving to be a challenge, as many in the GOP say they felt betrayed by Bloomberg when he decided to leave the Republican party back in 2007.

Two chairmen told NY1 off-camera that party leaders aren't convinced Bloomberg is the best candidate for the Republican line, noting that rank and file Republicans are angry with him.

"The party here has been decimated in the city. And we as chairmen, or chairpersons, we have an obligation to make sure we do everything we can to regrow," said Brooklyn GOP Chairman Craig Eaton.

A final decision isn't expected until other mayoral hopefuls, like businessman John Catsimatidis and Tom Ognibene, who challenged the mayor in 2005, sit down with the leaders.

The ballot issue poses yet another problem for the mayor -- this time with his image. He's advocated for nonpartisan governance and cast himself as a leader who exists outside party politics which are positions that clash with the goals of any political party.

Campaign spokesman Howard Wolfson says he doesn't see it that way, and doesn't think New Yorkers will either.

"They know what he stands for, they know that he has governed in a nonpartisan way, and they know he will be on the Republican line, if he gets it. There's no attempt to deceive," said Wolfson.

The backing of an established party isn't a requirement for Bloomberg to run. He could collect signatures on his own and secure a spot on the ballot. But his name could end up below five other candidates, a funny spot for a presumed frontrunner.