Former New York City Councilman and current city comptroller John Liu has unofficially kicked off his campaign for New York Mayor.
The Filipino Reporter reports Liu held what he called “Kick Off 2013,” a birthday celebration where guests paid up to $175 to a group called Friends of John Liu. “Kickoff 2013” is widely viewed as the launch of his mayoral bid.
He carries into the race some political baggage. Two of his aides have been arrested on federal finance charge following allegations of fundraising irregularities in Liu’s campaign. There are no current announced candidates for New York Mayor, but the Filipino Reporter says a whole list of people have been mentioned as possible candidates and outgoing Mayor Bloomberg is said to have a preference, and its not Liu.