Bill de Blasio
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| Bill de Blasio | |
|---|---|
| Name | Bill de Blasio |
| Caption | de Blasio in 2014 |
| Order | 109th |
| Office | Mayor of New York City |
| Term start | January 1, 2014 |
| Term end | December 31, 2021 |
| Predecessor | Michael Bloomberg |
| Successor | Eric Adams |
| Office2 | New York City Public Advocate |
| Term start2 | January 1, 2010 |
| Term end2 | December 31, 2013 |
| Predecessor2 | Betsy Gotbaum |
| Successor2 | Letitia James |
| Birth name | Warren Wilhelm Jr. |
| Birth date | 8 May 1961 |
| Birth place | Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Chirlane McCray, 1994 |
| Education | New York University (BA), Columbia University (MIA) |
| Website | https://billdeblasio.com/ |
Bill de Blasio is an American politician who served as the 109th Mayor of New York City from 2014 to 2021. A member of the Democratic Party, he previously held the office of New York City Public Advocate after serving on the New York City Council. His tenure as mayor was defined by a progressive agenda focused on income inequality, universal pre-kindergarten, and police reform, though it faced significant challenges including the COVID-19 pandemic in New York City.
Early life and education
Born Warren Wilhelm Jr. in Manhattan, he was raised in Cambridge, Massachusetts, before his family returned to New York City. He later adopted his mother's maiden name, de Blasio. He attended Cambridge Rindge and Latin School before earning a Bachelor of Arts from New York University. He subsequently received a Master of International Affairs from Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs.
Early political career
His early work included campaigning for David Dinkins's successful 1989 mayoral bid and serving on the staff of the City Council. He later worked in the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development during the Presidency of Bill Clinton. In 2001, he was elected to represent Brooklyn's 39th district on the New York City Council, where he served until 2009.
Mayor of New York City
Elected in the 2013 New York City mayoral election, he took office in January 2014, succeeding Michael Bloomberg. His signature early achievement was the creation of a city-funded universal pre-kindergarten program. His administration launched the NYC Care health access program and implemented the Vision Zero initiative to reduce traffic fatalities. His tenure was heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic in New York City, during which he clashed with Governor Andrew Cuomo over pandemic response. His relationship with the New York City Police Department was often strained, particularly following the 2014 killings of NYPD officers.
2020 presidential campaign
In May 2019, he announced his candidacy for the 2020 Democratic Party presidential primaries, centering his campaign on a "working people first" agenda. He failed to gain significant traction in polls or fundraising, struggling to meet the Democratic National Committee's debate thresholds. He suspended his campaign in September 2019 and later endorsed Joe Biden for the 2020 United States presidential election.
Post-mayoral career
After leaving Gracie Mansion at the end of 2021, he joined the Harvard Kennedy School as a visiting fellow. He has since been a political commentator on CNN and other networks. In 2022, he launched a progressive advocacy podcast and has been mentioned as a potential candidate for future federal office, though he has not held elected office since his mayoralty ended.
Political positions
Identified with the progressive wing of the Democratic Party, his platform has emphasized tackling income inequality through higher taxes on the wealthy, including his failed "mansion tax" proposal. He is a supporter of the Affordable Care Act and advocated for a single-payer healthcare system in New York. On policing, he supported reforms to stop-and-frisk in New York City but faced criticism from both police unions and reform activists throughout his tenure.
Personal life
He married poet and activist Chirlane McCray in 1994; they have two children, Dante and Chiara. The family resided in Park Slope, Brooklyn, before moving to Gracie Mansion during his mayoralty. His son, Dante, gained national attention in a 2013 campaign ad. de Blasio is a fan of the Boston Red Sox and is known for his regular attendance at New York City Marathon events.
Category:Bill de Blasio Category:Mayors of New York City Category:New York City Public Advocates Category:New York City Council members Category:Columbia University alumni Category:New York University alumni