Meeks backs Bloomberg for president

U.S. Rep. Gregory Meeks endorsed Michael Bloomberg for president Wednesday. Eagle file photo by Andy Katz.

By David Brand

U.S. Rep. Gregory Meeks, the chair of the Queens County Democratic Party, has endorsed former Mayor Michael Bloomberg for president.

Meeks said Bloomberg, a billionaire three-term mayor who ran on Republican and independent lines, would unite the country “behind the common purpose of rebuilding our nation's infrastructure and driving our economy forward.”

Bloomberg, who recently established a campaign office in Bayside, has been a stalwart gun control advocate since leaving office. He has also faced criticism for ramping up stop-and-frisk policing in communities of color during his tenure as mayor.

Meeks’ endorsement comes less than two months after he seemed likely to endorse former Vice President Joe Biden. Nevertheless, at a December meeting of the Queens County Democrats, Meeks told the Eagle he was not yet ready to formally endorse Biden.

Bloomberg thanked Meeks for the endorsement, which he said was the culmination of their long relationship. 

“Congressman Meeks knows we need to rebuild America, starting with the infrastructure that President Trump has allowed to crumble and the healthcare system Trump is trying to destroy,” Bloomberg said. “As President, I'll work with Rep. Meeks to get both done — after we send the Queens native in the White House on a permanent vacation to Mar-a-Lago."