De Blasio Names Sharpton Aide to Be Wife’s Chief of Staff

Bill de Blasio today named Rachel Noerdlinger, a top aide to Rev. Al Sharpton, to be chief of staff to

Rachel Noerdlinger speaking at National Action Network headquarters.
Rachel Noerdlinger speaking at National Action Network headquarters.

Bill de Blasio today named Rachel Noerdlinger, a top aide to Rev. Al Sharpton, to be chief of staff to his wife, Chirlane McCray, in the new mayor’s administration. 

Sign Up For Our Daily Newsletter

By clicking submit, you agree to our <a href="http://observermedia.com/terms">terms of service</a> and acknowledge we may use your information to send you emails, product samples, and promotions on this website and other properties. You can opt out anytime.

See all of our newsletters

The announcement, yet another sign of the expected high-profile role that Ms. McCray will play in the de Blasio administration, was rolled out at Mr. Sharpton’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Day celebrations at the National Action Network’s headquarters in Harlem.

“For fifteen years I have been honored to stand by your side, Rev. Sharpton and National Action Network,” Ms. Noerdlinger told the crowd. “And the work that we have done … has been nothing short of historic.”

“I will continue that tirelessness as I join the first lady of New York City, Chirlane McCray. Rev. Sharpton has honored his word: He said that he would groom people for positions of next generation leadership. And he is my brother and he has been a pillar of strength,” she continued. “But I cannot wait to go with the first lady borough to borough!”

In the formal statement announcing the hire, Ms. McCray had nothing but praise for her new chief of staff.

“Rachel brings a wealth of experience, knowledge, and know-how to City Hall, and I’m thrilled to have her join us,” Ms. McCray said. “Rachel shares my commitment to bringing social justice to the forefront in this city, and I look forward to having talent like hers on the team.”

De Blasio Names Sharpton Aide to Be Wife’s Chief of Staff