Five months after dropping out of the race for mayor of New York City to focus on his mental health, Corey Johnson, the City Council speaker, said on Tuesday that he was considering a late entry into the city comptroller’s race.
Mr. Johnson said that he had been approached by several elected officials and City Council members who said he should consider running to be the city’s fiscal watchdog, and that his desire to contribute to its recovery from the pandemic spurred his interest.
“I wouldn’t be considering this if I didn’t feel good about where I am personally and the work I’ve done over the last six months in focusing on myself and my own well-being,” Mr. Johnson said in an interview.
Mr. Johnson had been one of the leading Democratic candidates in the mayor’s race, but he announced in September that he was dropping out because he said that dealing with his depression, handling his job as the leader of the City Council, and running for office would be too difficult.
Mr. Johnson said he would make a final decision on the comptroller’s race in the next two weeks, before petitioning is set to start. The current comptroller, Scott M. Stringer, is barred from seeking a third consecutive term, and is now a leading candidate in the race for mayor.
Mr. Johnson’s potential entry would add a level of star power to the contest. As Council speaker, he has developed a reputation as a civic booster, known for doing back flips and dancing at parades and professing his love for the city.
Now he is currently trying to flip the city he loves so much with his "Planning Together"
Don't forget to sign the petition and join the show, make that charter committee on February 23, Tuesday at 10 a.m.
Urgent Town Hall Wed 2/17 7PM!
— Preserve Our Brooklyn Neighborhoods (@infopobn) February 15, 2021
Sign up to learn more about Corey Johnson's power-grab so-called 'Comprehensive Planning' bill-Intro 2186 -a de facto emasculation of local communities to be shut out of their democratic future weigh-in! Please RT! https://t.co/LusMeCC4No pic.twitter.com/zKysGZL0lp
