Amid a cheerful crowd spilling out onto the street and chanting “Eight is Enough!”, City Comptroller William Thompson, the Democratic nominee for mayor, officially opened his Williamsburg campaign office on October 2.
Introduced by Assemblymember Darryl Towns (D-East New York) and Rep. Nydia Velazquez (D-Williamsburg), Thompson touched on themes of responsible governance and a commitment to neighborhood issues while appealing to guests to chip in a few dollars for the campaign’s coffers during the opening of the office, located at 441 Lorimer Street at Maujer Street.
“Mayor Bloomberg is going to spend over $200 million to lie to the people of New York.We have a message for Michael Bloomberg.This isn’t his city.This is our city,” said Thompson.
Velazquez reminded voters of past election victories by candidates who have been outraised financially as a reason to support Thompson and contribute enthusiastically to his campaign.So far, Mayor Michael Bloomberg has raised $64,800,000 in private funds, spending nearly all of it ($64,756,120) while Thompson, the City Comptroller, has raised considerably less, $5,610,935, and spent $3,829,466.
Velazquez was optimistic about Thompson’s chances.
“Eighteen years ago, there were five candidates running with no money, but guess what, we won.We can do it again, and we will,” said Velazquez.“I have one question for you: Are you better off today than you were eight years ago?”
Throughout the official opening event, Thompson greeted supporters and posed for pictures, as hundreds of well-wishers hovered around him as he nudged his way through the crowd.One volunteer, Luis Ramos, grew up nearby but has been homeless since June and has been living in a shelter off Fulton Street in Brooklyn.
“I’m volunteering because I believe in Thompson. His record is straight,” said Ramos.
This is Thompson’s ninth campaign office, but the first stand-alone satellite in North Brooklyn.Before Thompson staff took over, the space served as the campaign headquarters for Gerry Esposito, who ran a losing bid for City Council in the 34th District (Williamsburg and Bushwick).
Thompson has not made an endorsement in that race, which includes Working Families Party candidate Maritza Davila and incumbent Councilmember and Democratic Party nominee, Diana Reyna.
According to sources close to the Reyna campaign, Thompson and Reyna are in the process of working out terms for her endorsement of his campaign, which could range from publicly supporting her position on the Broadway Triangle to campaigning together.Davila is also expected to court Thompson’s endorsement, as the political club which she is affiliated, the Bushwick Democratic Club, run by Assemblymember Vito Lopez (D-Williamsburg), backed Thompson in the Democratic primary and the general election.
