Cushman & Wakefield executive Paul Massey has formally launched his mayoral campaign, unveiling a to-do-list that promises more affordable housing and an overhaul of homeless services.
Massey made the announcement in a video address posted on Twitter. In the 30-second video, he never referenced the incumbent, Mayor Bill de Blasio, by name. However, the announcement was not short on veiled jabs.
“It’s time for New York City to have leadership that works. I’m Paul Massey, I’ve got the fire and the fight and I want to be our next mayor,” he said. “This isn’t about politics, it’s about New York. A full-time city, deserves a full-time mayor.”
The full-time mayor comment referred to state and federal probes into de Blasio’s fund-raising operation. Massey has repeatedly accused the mayor of being distracted by his legal issues.
As part of the launch, Massey started a five-day tour of small businesses and schools across the city, beginning with a Monday campaign event in Queens. Each appearance will focus on one issue. For example, he will speak about education in a campaign stop in Brooklyn scheduled for Wednesday. In a Manhattan event on Friday, he will deliver a speech on community-focused policing.
Massey also released a five-point to do list that includes promises to: Promote pro-growth policies that create opportunities; Overhaul homeless services and shelters; Build additional affordable housing; Ensure workforce-ready graduates; Fully support community-focused policing.
“Thirty years ago, I came to New York with $150 in my pocket. With hard work and vision, I built a business here from the ground-up, gaining a deep understanding of our diverse local communities while also creating thousands of jobs along the way,” Massey said.
“I am running for Mayor of New York because there is a crisis of leadership at City Hall. Our schools are failing, our quality of life is declining and our most vulnerable are being ignored. Bill de Blasio is distracted by unprecedented corruption in his administration and shows loyalty to the special interests at the expense of the people who elected him. New York deserves a full-time Mayor who is a proven leader with vison and integrity, and an independent thinker who will do what is best for New York, not what is politically convenient on behalf of donors.”
Massey, who stumbled on policy questions during a press conference on the steps of City Hall in February, promised to provide detailed positions on such issues over the next few weeks.
He faces a tough task in ousting de Blasio. According to the latest Quinnipiac, de Blasio would beat Massey in a head-to-head race, 59 percent to 25 percent. De Blasio also scored his highest approval rating in a year at 50 percent.
