N.Y. mayor may back Democrat in local race

NEW YORK, Feb. 5 (UPI) -- New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, a Republican, is considering helping a Democrat trying to oust a senior state senator from Queens Borough.

Bloomberg aides told the New York Times the mayor prefers state legislators who are sympathetic to the city's needs, no matter what their party affiliation is.

Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno is trying to keep the Republicans in power. Any move to help Councilman Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., who is exploring a run against Republican Sen. Serphin R. Maltese, would be a declaration of war by the mayor, the newspaper said.

Bruno and Bloomberg are already at odds. The majority leader did not support Bloomberg's proposal for a new stadium or his effort to get more school aid.