By Rich Bockmann
Mayoral candidate Bill Thompson recently got something he missed out on the last time he made a run for Gracie Mansion but didn’t really miss: the endorsement of Greater Allen A.M.E’s the Rev. Floyd Flake.
After backing Thompson in the 2009 Democratic mayoral primary, Flake turned around and threw his weight behind incumbent Michael Bloomberg in the general election, praising his economic savvy and handling of the city’s schools under mayoral control.
But a lot can change in four years.
This time around the influential religious leader, who helms a congregation of more than 20,000, endorsed Thompson, a former city Board of Education president, touting him as the best candidate to create jobs and turn around struggling schools.
On the campaign trail Thompson has been railing against the mayor’s handling of schools and has called for a moratorium on school closings, arguably the hallmark of Bloomberg’s educational policies.
“Bill Thompson has the energy, experience and temperament to lead this entire city,” Flake said. “I know Bill. He will never walk away from our neighborhoods or give up on our communities. Bill Thompson will be a voice for every community, every race and every faith. I support his vision to make New York more affordable, bring parents back into the fold of our schools, and keep communities safe while improving the bonds between communities and their police.”
Despite missing out on one of southeast Queens’ most influential and sought-after endorsements, Thompson still easily carried the area in 2009 with 72 percent of the vote in the general election.
Thompson did not mention the ’09 snub in a statement he released.
“I believe we need to create economic opportunity in every community to move our city forward,” Thompson, a former city comptroller, said. “As mayor, I will always fight to create good-paying jobs for our working-class families. I want to build a New York City that’s stronger than ever and works for families in every corner of our city.”
Flake made a few waves in early March where he came out in support of former City Councilwoman Melinda Katz — and not Councilman Leroy Comrie (D-St. Albans) — in her bid for borough president.
Reach reporter Rich Bockmann by e-mail at rbockmann@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4574.
