Bill DeBlasio

Bill de Blasio is an American politician.

Career

De Blasio represents District 39 in the New York City Council, which comprises the Brooklyn neighborhoods of Borough Park, Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill, Gowanus, Kensington, Park Slope, and Windsor Terrace.

Elected in 2001 and re-elected in 2003 and 2005, he had previously represented some of the same areas as a member of Community School Board 15. He chairs the Committee on General Welfare, and is a member of the Finance, Environmental, and Civil Rights Committees.

Prior to his election, de Blasio had served as the campaign manager for Hillary Clinton's successful candidacy for a seat in the United States Senate in 2000. He had also served in the Clinton administration in the Department of Housing and Urban Development, as well as in the David N. Dinkins administration, and as a staffer for the New York City Council. Councilman de Blasio holds a B.A. in Urban Studies from New York University, and an M.P.A. from Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs.

In 2005 de Blasio made a bid to succeed Gifford Miller as Speaker of the City Council, but eventually conceded to Christine Quinn from Hell's Kitchen, the current Speaker, after Quinn outmaneuvered him [ [http://www.downtownexpress.com/de_139/quinnwin.html Quinn win hailed by gays, Downtowners ] ] and won the support of the Queens delegation [ [http://wcbstv.com/topstories/City.Council.Speaker.2.232289.html wcbstv.com - Quinn Will Be Historic Council Speaker ] ] , leading to de Blasio's withdrawal. [ [http://runforspeaker.blogspot.com/2006/01/de-blasios-concession.html Backroom Deal Breaker: de Blasio's Concession ] ]

De Blasio, who is term-limited, also considered challenging Republican congressman Vito Fossella, but ultimately decided not to. [ [http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/29/nyregion/29brooklyn.html?bl&ex=1193803200&en=3a7c171e9dd7cb0d&ei=5087%0A Councilman Joins Race for Top Seat in Brooklyn - New York Times ] ]

In October 2007, de Blasio announced his intention to run for Brooklyn borough president in 2009 to succeed Marty Markowitz. [ [http://www.nydailynews.com/news/2007/10/29/2007-10-29_termlimited_bill_de_blasio_joins_brookly.html Term-limited Bill de Blasio joins Brooklyn borough race ] ]

Issue positions

He has taken a stance against certain developers within his district, in addition to the architect Robert Scarano. However, he has supported some large scale developments despite community opposition, including the Atlantic Yards project, a large development in Brooklyn that has faced opposition due to its size and scale. [ [http://www.brooklynpaper.com/stories/30/43/30_43deblasiobeep.html The Brooklyn Paper: Cash-rich DeBlasio seeks Beep post ] ]

References

External links

* [http://www.billdeblasio.com/ Bill de Blasio: Official Website]
* [http://council.nyc.gov/d39/html/members/home.shtml Official NYC Council Website about Bill DeBlasio]
* [http://www.gothamgazette.com/campaign2005/39 Gotham Gazette Campaign 2005 District 39]
* [http://www.lidbrooklyn.org/bp070201.htm Clinton Controversy]
* [http://thepoliticker.observer.com/2006/03/de-blasio-of-staten.html De Blasio of Staten?]
* [http://www.villagevoice.com/news/0547,barrett,70246,5.html Council Jihad: De Blasio Leads Unholy Union War on City's Campaign Finance Board]