New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, an independent, is supporting Sen. Scott Brown, R-Mass., in his Senate race against Democratic candidate Elizabeth Warren, the New York Times reported.
Bloomberg will host an August 15 fundraiser for the Massachusetts Republican at his Upper East Side townhouse. A spokesman for the mayor said the endorsement was a reward for Brown's having voted against the Republican Party on certain issues and defying the National Rifle Association -- and not about Wall Street.
“If you take a tough stand and buck party orthodoxy that helps the City of New York, the mayor would like to support you,” Bloomberg spokesman Stu Loeser told the Times. “The biggest reason the mayor is supporting Sen. Brown is the senator’s help on one of our biggest gun issues: opposing concealed-carry reciprocity that would let people with gun permits from rural states like Arkansas and Kentucky carry hidden handguns in New York City.”
Bloomberg has been a staunch advocate for an assault rifle ban and other gun restrictions. On CNN this week, the mayor suggested police officers could go on strike to promote better guns laws.
“I don't understand why the police officers across this country don't stand up collectively and say, ‘We’re going to go on strike,'” he said on Piers Morgan Tonight. “‘We’re not going to protect you unless you, the public, through your legislature, do what's required to keep us safe.’”
After the death of the late Sen. Edward Kennedy, Bloomberg endorsed Democratic candidate Alan Khazei in the primary race. He, however, was defeated by Martha Coakley, who eventually lost to Brown.
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