Developers Peebles, Catsimatidis strongly consider NY mayoral runs

From the New York website: Developer Don Peebles and former mayoral hopeful John Catsimatidis both say they’re seriously considering joining the New York mayoral race come January.

Peebles, a Democrat who has been mulling over a mayoral bid for more than a year, told Fox Business he is “real close” to announcing a run. In the interview, he said the city is in trouble under Mayor Bill de Blasio, who is “corrupt and incompetent,” and that Donald Trump’s victory over Hillary Clinton in the presidential election has made it clear what the people want.

“I think the public wants to see more business people, and Mike Bloomberg was a great mayor,” Peebles told the Fox interviewer.

Peebles lives part-time in Coral Gables and has been an active developer in the Miami area.

Fellow developer John Catsimatidis, who said he has “one more race left” in him, says his considerations have not been influenced by Trump’s victory, the New York Post reported. He’s alternatively considering a Senate run in 2018.

Catsimatidis ran for mayor in 2013 but lost in the Republican primary to Joe Lhota, who lost to de Blasio. The businessman had spent $10 million o this own money on the failed campaign.

If they do run for mayor, Catsimatidis will join developer Paul Massey and former New York Jet Michael Faulkner as the Republican challengers to de Blasio. [NYP and FOXand NYP] — Chava Gourarie