Chirlane McCray Considers Brooklyn Borough Presidency Run

NEW YORK CITY — First Lady Chirlane McCray is considering a campaign to become Brooklyn's next borough president, Mayor Bill de Blasio said this week.

"She has gotten to a point where she has a serious interest in a particular office," de Blasio said Wednesday, during a "Good Day New York" interview. "But she's not made a decision. "

Host Lori Stokes tried to ask the mayor about his role in McCray's recent activities in Brooklyn — launching a new podcast and $43 million home visit program — saying, "Perhaps you're propping her up so that she could have."

"Just let me respond, please, there's no consensus," de Blasio replied. "Where ever Chirlane goes, people thank her for putting mental health front and center."

The first lady's $1 billion mental health initiative has not received ubiquitous praise this week. ThriveNYC was included in Comptroller's watch list, released Tuesday, of city agencies with suspect spending, the Daily News reported.

“It is becoming something that does not appear to be managed well," Stringer reportedly said. Should he win a bid for City Hall in 2021, Stringer said he would "probably dismantle" the program.

McCray has been considering a run since 2018 when she saw a surge of female candidates and began encouraging other women to pursue political office, the mayor said.

According to de Blasio, McCray said, "I'd be a hypocrite if I told other people to consider it and I didn't consider it myself."