Thompson Gets WFP Line

Mayor Bloomberg, who lobbied his way onto the Republican and Independence Party lines, wasn't able to close the deal for the Working Families Party endorsement.

In a surprise to some, Democratic front-runner Bill Thompson grabbed the progressive, union-backed WFP line by just 2 votes this week.

According to the Times, Sheldon Silver, the Democratic speaker of the State Assembly, may have delivered the necessary votes by lobbying the Public Employees Federation, a major union within the WFP.

Thompson's five-borough commitment was a major reason for the WFP endorsement:

"In a Thompson administration, Wall Street won't be the only street that matters anymore. Flatbush Avenue, Queens Boulevard, The Grand Concourse, Victory Boulevard, and 125th St. will have a real voice in City Hall."

The Bloomberg campaign downplayed the hard-won WFP endorsement, calling it a weak victory.

Thompson's campaign stepped it up this past weekend, launching a 5-borough campaign tour.

Michael Bloomberg's campaign tab has reached a jaw-dropping $36 million.

The New York Times article.