Anthony Weiner is officially running for mayor of New York City. The announcement from the disgraced politician came on Tuesday night after weeks of speculation over his possible return to politics.
Weiner’s political career imploded two years ago after he posted a series of raunchy tweets showing off his genitals. But in his mayoral bid announcement, the former congressman has said he is back.
The politician first hinted at the possibility last month , but confirmed it in a YouTube video. Anthony Weiner explained:
“I made some big mistakes and I know I let a lot of people down, but I also learned some tough lessons. I’m running for mayor because I’ve been fighting for the middle class and those struggling to make it my entire life. And I hope I get a second change.”
The Democrat is jumping into a packed field of candidates, all hoping for victory during September’s primary. But Anthony Weiner is arriving to the mayoral candidate party with a few significant advantages. One of those is a $4.8 million campaign war chest. Another? The possibility that he could get $1 million more in public matching money.
Polls show Weiner is ahead of all but one other Democrat in the race. That also means that his decision to enter the fray could end in a runoff. And several analysts believe he could have a shot at being New York City’s next mayor.
But Anthony Weiner still has baggage related to the 2011 scandal, the biggest of which is questions about his character . The disgraced politician initially claimed his Twitter was hacked when a photo appeared of a man’s bulging, underwear-clad groin appeared. But more photos emerged, including one of him shirtless in his congressional office.
He recently admitted he shouldn’t have lied about the situation, but he did so to protect his pregnant wife, Huma Abedin. Weiner confessed to sending several racy messages to women he’d never met. Abedin has said that she forgives her husband for what happened.
Do you think Anthony Weiner has a shot at being the mayor of New York City?
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