Ambitious New Yorker aims to lead both DNC and NYC – Washington Examiner
Michael Blake, a former New York state Assemblyman and ex-Democratic National Committee (DNC) Vice Chairman, is ambitiously pursuing dual bids to become New York City’s next mayor and the DNC chairman. His candidacy comes at a challenging time for the Democratic Party, which is grappling with Mayor Eric Adams’ indictment and losses in both the Senate and the White House. Despite being viewed as a long shot against stronger contenders in both races, Blake aims to represent a new generation of leadership. He asserts his experience as a former DNC vice chair and state assembly member qualifies him for these roles, emphasizing the demand for leadership in the party. Blake previously faced electoral defeats, including a close primary loss for the U.S. House of Representatives and a failed run for New York City Public Advocate. The race for mayor is notably competitive, with six other candidates, including frontrunners Adams and city comptroller Brad Lander.
Split ticket: Ambitious New Yorker trying to lead the DNC and NYC
Former New York state Assemblyman and ex-Democratic National Committee Vice Chairman Michael Blake is launching unlikely bids to become New York’s next mayor and the DNC chairman.
Blake is the next in a long line of Democrats to pursue both jobs as the party reels from the indictment of Mayor Eric Adams and the loss of both the Senate and the White House.
While he has dipped his toes into both worlds, Blake is viewed as unlikely to receive either job as powerful Democrats line up for the DNC job and entrenched New Yorkers launch popular bids to be the city’s top executive.
Nevertheless, he is trying to be the new generation of leadership for both offices.
“I do remind people, I was a DNC vice chair and a New York Assemblymember before successfully,” Blake told Politico. “People are looking for leadership wherever they can get it.”
He posted on X earlier, “NYC. DNC. A New Day is coming.”
Blake has not been as successful in politics since his stint as the assemblyman for New York’s 79th State Assembly District, which comprises parts of the Bronx, from 2015 to 2021. He declined to seek reelection to run for the U.S. House of Representatives in 2020, eventually finishing second in the Democratic primary behind Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-NY).
Before that, in 2019, he ran for New York City public advocate and lost. That was a similarly crowded race to the current mayoral one, which has six other candidates vying for the position. Adams and city comptroller Brad Lander are considered the frontrunners in the race with the most fundraising.
Adams has been wildly unpopular since his corruption charges were levied against him, but he holds a substantial war chest over other competitors along with substantial name recognition.
Blake’s bid for DNC chairman is even more unlikely than his mayoral run. He was vice chairman from 2017 to 2021 and represents a major shake-up from the last few chairpeople as a younger, nonestablishment politician who holds a different view on the party’s direction.
But any change he could argue would likely be superseded by the pure influence of party heavyweights such as former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley and Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Chairman Ken Martin. Blake would only need 40 signatures to get on the ballot, however, and could benefit from the failures of Democrats as of late.
If elected to both offices, however unlikely, Blake would be allowed to hold them. He has said he would do it.
Blake cut his teeth as Barack Obama’s Iowa deputy political director, later serving in the 44th president’s administration and helping him get reelected.
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