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Read the press release here.

Quinn Endorses de Blasio for Mayor

By  Janon Fisher and Christian McLamb | September 17, 2013 3:21pm 

 City Council Speaker Christine Quinn endorsed Bill de Blasio for mayor.
City Council Speaker Christine Quinn endorsed Bill de Blasio for mayor.
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DNAinfo/Christian McLamb

CIVIC CENTER — City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, once a front-runner for mayor, threw her support behind Public Advocate and Democratic primary winner Bill de Blasio on the steps of City Hall Tuesday.

"I am strongly behind de Blasio to become the next New York City mayor," Quinn said. "I urge my entire team to support and help Bill."

Quinn led in the polls early in the primary, but she faltered over the summer. Political pundits said they believe her ties to Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly ended up damaging her reputation with the voters and cost her the election. She got about 15.5 percent of the primary vote, according to an unofficial tally.

Toward the end of her campaign, Quinn took a few swipes at de Blasio with an ad that warned voters, "Bill de Blasio: not who he says he is."

But on Tuesday she brushed aside questions about his integrity.

"I trust Bill completely and want to make sure is elected," she said.

The candidate enthusiastically accepted her endorsement.

"It is an honor to receive the support of Speaker Quinn," de Blasio said.

Bill Thompson, who garnered 26 percent of the vote in the primary, conceded Monday and endorsed de Blasio as well.

De Blasio will now face Republican candidate Joe Lhota, Independence Party candidate Adolfo Carrion Jr. and unaffiliated candidate Jack Hidary in the general election on Nov. 5.