NEW YORK, April 11 (UPI) -- New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg will run as a Republican candidate in his bid for a third mayoral term, officials say.
Jay Savino, chairman of the Republican Party's Bronx branch, applauded Bloomberg's decision to seek a third term, calling the mayor the "right person" for the city's future, the New York Daily News reported Saturday.
"Mayor Bloomberg and I have had healthy disagreements over issues at times, but I know he is the right person to lead this city forward," Savino said.
Matt Mahoney of Bloomberg's campaign team thanked the Bronx GOP for its support, adding the mayor would now seek the support of the party's Queens and Manhattan branches.
"We look forward to having a dialogue and engaging with all the Republican party (chairmen) of New York City," the Republican operative said. "We're very excited to have the Bronx on board, and we look forward to getting the support of the other two (chairmen)."
Bloomberg, the eighth-richest person in America, had been a Democrat until entering the political arena in 2001. He also had faced a two-term limit until he got the city council to extend the limit to three terms last fall.
The Daily News said certain Republican officials had previously opposed Bloomberg's right for a Republican nomination, saying the New York official did not embrace the party's agenda.
