Bill de Blasio not running for NY governor

NEW YORK - Former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio says he is not going to run for governor of New York.

He made the announcement on Twitter on Tuesday morning.

A new poll released on Tuesday morning showed him trailing badly in the field for the Democratic primary.   The poll shows Gov. Kathy Hochul with a commanding lead over other potential candidates.

De Blasio said he was, "going to devote every fiber of my being to fighting inequality in the state of New York."

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He left office on Jan. 1, 2022 after 8 years as mayor.

Blasio had entered the New York City mayor’s office promising a liberal remolding of the nation’s largest city.

He had some successes.

He delivered on a promise to offer universal pre-kindergarten and curbing the police stop-and-frisk tactic.

But he also had a strained relationship with both police and the police-reform activists who propelled him to office.

He publicly feuded with Governor Andrew Cuomo and had a poor relationship with much of the media.

The decision to not seek the nomination to run for governor was seen as a bit of a surprise.  He had previously filed the paperwork to jump into the race.