Don Peebles may challenge de Blasio in NYC primary

From the New York website: Don Peebles, real estate mogul and head of the Peebles Corp., is giving “strong consideration” to challenging Mayor Bill de Blasio in the Democratic primary in 2017.

During an interview with Neil Cavuto on Fox News Thursday, Peebles said de Blasio hasn’t done enough to lift New Yorkers out of poverty. “The mayor is supposed to represent all constituents,” he said, adding that de Blasio had contributed to an antagonistic environment in the city. In a Closing interview in January, Peebles told The Real Deal he was open to a mayoral run.

“There’s something to be said for having somebody who understands business, politics and also has a social agenda that is looking to change the status quo,” Peebles told TRD at the time.

Peebles owns a home in Coral Gables, and his recent developments in South Florida include the Bath Club Estates in Miami Beach.

In late June, Peebles spoke at the National Association of Real Estate Editors’ 49th Annual Real Estate Journalism Conference in Miami and criticized the high income tax and other tax burdens in New York, saying “at some point, people will just leave.”

De Blasio is facing the worst approval rating of his tenure, with a new poll showing that 47 percent of New York City voters believe he doesn’t deserve to stay in office.

Peebles, who previously fundraised for President Barack Obama, also made the case for former Florida governor Jeb Bush, saying Bush did a lot for minorities and always offered solutions.

Rich Bockmann and Rey Mashayekhi contributed reporting.