By Mark Hallum
Paul Massey, a Republican candidate for Mayor Bill de Blasio’s seat, dropped out of the race Wednesday, citing funding issues as the main reason for calling off the campaign.
The Boston real estate executive touted plans for redesigning parks above city highways and claimed to emulate former Mayor Michael Bloomberg in his approach for solving some of the issues in the city. Education and housing were some of aspects of government he Massey hoped to address as mayor. He recently endorsed fellow Republican Joseph Concannon, who is challenging Councilman Barry Grodenchik (D-Oakland Gardens).
“As I have in the past, I intend to involve myself in community and not-for-profit organizations in New York City, especially in education, which is my passion. New York certainly hasn’t heard the last from me,” Massey said in a statement posted to Twitter. “Unfortunately, the cost of running for office is extraordinary, and I do not see a path to raising the necessary funds to beat an incumbent mayor.”
Massey joins fellow GOP candidate John Catsimatidis, CEO of Gristedes Foods, who dropped out of the race in May. Catsimatidis was defeated in a GOP primary for mayor in 2013.
Councilman Eric Ulrich (R-Ozone Park) had also been considering a run for mayor, but dropped any plans in March.
State Sen. Tony Avella (D-Bayside) also cited the financial challenges of facing an incumbent when he suspended his campaign for mayor in May also.
Reach reporter Mark Hallum by e-mail at mhall
