By Steve Mosco
Scandal-plagued former U.S. Rep. Anthony Weiner is sitting on several million dollars, which he could use in a run for mayor.
According to a report filed with the city Campaign Finance Board, Weiner has close to $4.5 million in his war chest and he could receive $1.5 million in public matching funds, which are set to expire after the 2013 mayoral election.
The campaign finance disclosure with the city also reveals Weiner spent more than $30,000 in rent on an office over the last three months. The expenditures, paid to SL Green Realty Corp., were classified as “office expenses” and “rent.”
The report also reveals the Weiner campaign has not received any monetary contributions since November 2009.
The New York Post reported Sunday that Weiner might also consider running for city public advocate as a backup plan if he decides not to run for mayor. Current Public Advocate Bill de Blasio is expected to make a run for mayor, as is City Council Speaker Christine Quinn (D-Manhattan), city Comptroller John Liu, former Comptroller Bill Thompson and Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer.
The New York Times followed the Post’s Sunday story with one of its own Monday, reporting that several of Weiner’s friends believe the former congressman is eager to return to public office.
The Post also reported Weiner’s wife, Huma Abedin, a senior aide for U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, is encouraging her husband to put the scandal to rest with a tell-all interview.
Weiner resigned from the 9th Congressional District, representing parts of western Queens and Brooklyn, last year amid a sexting scandal in which he admitted to sending lewd photos to various women and engaging in several sexual conversations with women over the Internet while married. Weiner and Abedin are still married and the couple had their first child together after the scandal broke.
Weiner gave no hints as to his future career in politics when he stepped down from office in June of last year.
“I will be looking for other ways … to make sure we live up to our ideals,” he said during his resignation speech.
Rep. Bob Turner (R-Middle Village) won the seat vacated by Weiner over state Assemblyman David Weprin (D-Little Neck) in a September 2011 special election.
Weiner ran for mayor in 2005 but lost in the Democratic Party primary. He most likely would have run again in 2009, but Mayor Michael Bloomberg pushed the City Council to change the term limits law to allow a third term.
Reach reporter Steve Mosco by e-mail at smosco@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4546.
