With Mayor de Blasio up for re-election next year, a new group is mobilizing, determined to keep him from winning a second term. NY1's Grace Rauh filed the following report.
One of the most effective ad campaigns of the 2013 mayor's race was not in support of any candidate in particular. Instead, it ran in opposition to one: City Council Speaker Christine Quinn. The "Anyone But Quinn" campaign hurt the one-time front-runner.
Now, a new group is forming with the goal of doing the same thing to Mayor Bill de Blasio.
"It was our hope that he would end the tale of two cities. But he's only written another chapter," said the Rev. Johnnie Green of Mobilizing Preachers and Communities.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg's former campaign manager, Bradley Tusk, and some religious leaders, several of whom backed de Blasio in 2013, say he does not deserve four more years. They point to the multiple investigations into his fundraising and political activities, his affordable housing agenda and his approach to policing as signs de Blasio needs to go.
"Right now, it's just getting the message out there about the failed leadership of Bill de Blasio, the poor job he's doing, his poor work ethic, his poor ethics and everything else," Tusk said. "And look, it could be that the U.S. attorney takes care of this problem for us and issues an indictment, in which case, there won't be an election with him on the ballot next year."
Assuming de Blasio is on the ballot, Tusk says he plans to raise money to bankroll a more robust campaign.
Of course, you can't beat a first-term mayor up for re-election without an opponent. And at this point, there is no specific candidate that de Blasio's critics are rallying around.
A spokesman for the mayor said, "It isn't surprising that this group can't convince anyone to run against a mayor who's driving crime to record lows while driving high-school graduation rates to record highs."
A Republican real estate developer, Paul Massey, filed paperwork Thursday to run for mayor next year. City Councilman Eric Ulrich is also eyeing a bid.
On the Democratic side, City Comptroller Scott Stringer, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. and former Council speaker Quinn are considered potential challengers.