NEW YORK CITY — City Councilman Dan Garodnick has dropped his bid for comptroller to run for re-election — and he endorsed Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer in the comptroller race.
“When I announced my campaign for comptroller, I promised that New Yorkers wouldn’t get any drama with me. Now, I’m keeping that promise,” Garodnick said in a statement following a press conference announcing his decision Wednesday on the steps of City Hall.
“I’m ending my campaign today to support Scott Stringer,” he said.
The news, which was first reported by Capital New York, comes just over a week after Stringer announced his plans to forgo his mayoral ambitions to run for comptroller following lackluster performance in the polls.
Garodnick’s team had insisted at the time that Stringer's decision would have no impact on Garodnick's plans, despite Stringer’s wider name recognition and better-established power base.
But Garodnick changed his mind, and called Stringer on Monday to announce his change-of-heart.
“Scott and I share the same values: an aggressive commitment to reform, integrity and sanity in our government. He has been my partner in many different endeavors to make New York a stronger, safer, more just city. And now we have unique challenges with our structural deficit," Garodnick told DNAinfo.com New York before the announcement.
“Rather than distract from those issues with a contentious campaign for comptroller, I am resolved now to work with Scott...to address them."
Garodnick refused to address reports that he is considering vying for the coveted position of City Council speaker, saying he is focused first on winning his re-election race.
Stringer thanked Garodnick for his support.
"Running against him would have been hard for both of us,” Stringer said.
Garodnick had announced his bid in April, as Comptroller John Liu, who is expected to run for mayor, became embroiled in legal troubles stemming from an ongoing federal investigation into his fundraising.
Liu, who has not been found guilty of any wrongdoing, said Wednesday he was surprised by the timing of Garodnick's decision.
"I'm surprised Dan dropped out so quickly, but I'm sure he knows what's best for his future," Liu said.
The only other candidate now expected to run for comptroller is City Council Finance Chairman Domenic Recchia, whose Coney Island district was badly damaged by Hurricane Sandy.
East Harlem City Councilwoman Melissa Mark-Viverito, Councilwoman Inez Dickens and Queens City Councilman Mark Weprin have also been discussed as potential candidates for City Council speaker. The position is decided by council members, not by a public vote.
