(JTA) — Ex-New York Rep. Anthony Weiner, who was forced out of office by a scandal, said he is running for mayor of New York City.
“Look, I’ve made some big mistakes and I know I’ve let a lot of people down,” Weiner, 48, said in a two-minute video announcing his bid that was released early Wednesday morning. “But I’ve also learned some tough lessons. I’m running for mayor because I’ve been fighting for the middle class and those struggling to make it for my entire life. And I hope I get a second chance to work for you.”
The veteran Democratic lawmaker resigned from Congress in June 2011 after lying about tweeting an illicit photo of himself to a 21-year-old supporter.
Weiner’s wife, Huma Abedin, appears in the video announcing his mayoral run, as does their young son, Jordan, who was born several months after the scandal broke.
Weiner ran for mayor in 2005 but lost in the Democratic primary. He faces a crowded field, but still has millions in his political war chest from before his resignation, when he was considered a front-runner to replace Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who has exhausted his allowed three terms.
Weiner hired a campaign manager last week, according to Politico, which reported that it was unclear whether pre-scandal political allies would stand by him.
