Billionaire Soros endorses de Blasio

August 6, 2013 By Paula Katinas Brooklyn Daily Eagle

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One of the world’s richest men has made his choice as to who the city’s next mayor should be.

Billionaire liberal George Soros has endorsed Public Advocate Bill de Blasio for mayor, a nod that de Blasio’s campaign hopes will help vault him over his Democratic rivals for the party’s nomination.

“I am endorsing Bill de Blasio for mayor because I believe he has the talent, vision and ability to lead New York City,” Soros said in a statement posted on de Blasio’s campaign website.

“As public advocate, Bill de Blasio has promoted concrete policy changes that would mean far fewer innocent New Yorkers are subjected to demeaning police stops while at the same time maintaining reductions in crime,” Soros said.

The Hungarian-born Soris is as well known for his liberal beliefs as he is for his vast wealth. Over the past 30 years he was donated an estimated $8 billion to progressive causes around the world, according to Wikipedia.

Soros, the chairman of Soros Fund management, cited de Blasio’s stands on universal pre-k, after-school programs, and campaign finance reform as the main reasons for his endorsement.

“Mr. de Blasio’s commitment to create a truly universal Pre-K and after-school system is sound public policy and will have a powerful impact on reducing inequality and improving the lives of generations of New Yorkers,” Soros stated.

“Through his leadership and advocacy on the issue of campaign finance reform, Bill de Blasio has been an important advocate for protecting our elections from the undue influence of special interests. He has helped to mobilize activists and leaders from across the country to fight the impact of Citizens United,” he said.

“New York’s next Mayor needs to possess conviction, intelligence, and a clear vision for where they want to take the city. I believe Bill de Blasio possesses these qualities and will be an outstanding mayor for all New Yorkers,” he said.

De Blasio’s campaign website described Soros as “the newest member of Team de Blasio.”

The endorsement capped off a good week for de Blasio, who recently moved up in the polls. The public advocate, who had been mired in fourth place throughout the spring and summer, barely hitting double digits, has 21 percent of the vote, second only to Council Speaker Christine Quinn, according to the latest Quinnipiac poll.

Prior to his election as public advocate in 2009, de Blasio was a city councilman representing Park Slope.