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Bloomberg Dealt Setback in Re-Election Campaign

By ASSOCIATED PRESS

August 13 , 2009

NEW YORK -- Mayor Michael Bloomberg was dealt a political setback as the city's largest municipal union endorsed his chief Democratic challenger.

District Council 37 is backing City Comptroller William Thompson Jr. The endorsement will give Mr. Thompson much-needed help against the billionaire incumbent, who has already spent more than $36 million on his third-term bid.

The union has 125,000 members and 50,000 retirees across many city departments. They maintain bridges, roads and subways and work in health care, schools and libraries.

It is a diverse force that will provide Mr. Thompson with troops on the ground for his campaign.

Mr. Thompson is the Democratic front-runner. Mr. Bloomberg, a Republican-turned-independent, isn't competing in a primary.