A new attack ad from progressives goes after Christine Quinn. Credit: Metro File Photo.
Christine Quinn is under attack, and from a side she may not have been expecting.
A new attack ad slamming Quinn as “always on the wrong side” apparently comes from “a coalition of left-leaning labor unions and Democratic activists who say they are not backing anyone in particular” according to the New York Times.
However, Quinn’s campaign spokesman, Mike Morey, reportedly accused opponent Bill de Blasio of being behind the ad, pointing to de Blasio’s “strong connections” to the groups backing it.
“If Bill de Blasio is the progressive he claims to me, then he should oppose this effort to undermine the most progressive campaign finance system in the country,” Morey said.
De Blasio spokesman Dan Levitan reported denied knowledge of the spot prior to being questioned by a reporter late Sunday, and replied, “Nothing undermined our democratic system more than when Speaker Quinn overturned term limits and let Mayor Bloomberg spend $100 million buying four more years.”
The organizers behind the ad have reportedly pledged more than $1 million to the campaign against Quinn and are spending $250,000 for the television ad. Another commercial is on track for this week, as well as mailers and radio ads.
Quinn declined to place blame on a specific opponent, but told Capital New York, “We have no place for this type of indecent expenditure in New York City’s campaign system.”
New York City elections have a 6-to-1 funds matching system: each donor-dollar up to $175 is matched with $6 in public funds for a maximum of $1,050 in public funds per contributor.
Follow Danielle Tcholakian on Twitter @danielleiat
