At least one Republican looking to run citywide wouldn't mind being on the ballot with Michael Bloomberg.
There’s one Republican looking to run citywide who said he’s “in sync” with many of Michael Bloomberg’s policies and “would be very very comfortable running with him."
Joe Mendola is a Republican running for city comptroller, says he's “in sync” with many of Michael Bloomberg’s policies and “would be very very comfortable running with him."
Mendola has been quietly been meeting with the city’s Republican county chairmen and county committee members, trying to get their support. Last night, he met with Republicans in Brooklyn.
They asked him, like I did, if he would like to see Bloomberg be allowed to run in the Republican primary for mayor.
Mendola, a Wall Street professional with no prior experience in elected office, at first expressed no opinion on the issue. He told me, “My position is I will support whomever the Republicans nominate to be their mayoral candidate, I will support that person.” He added, “I leave that [decision] to the G.O.P. chairs.”
When I pressed him, Mendola added, “There are many of the provisions of my campaign that are in sync with Mayor Bloomberg, in terms of fiscal conservatism, accountability, transparency, etc. So, if he were the Republican nominee for mayor, I’d be very, very comfortable running with him.”
Some biographical details: Mendola is a registered Republican and single dad who worked on Wall Street as a compliance officer and a registered investment adviser.
He’s positioning himself as a financial expert who, unlike the other candidates, is not a career politician.
He has yet to get much public attention, which isn't necessarily suprising considering there is a crowded field of Democratic candidates.
One of his first major public events will be held this Thursday evening in Greenwich Village.
