Bloomberg Files as Independent Amid Speculation of White House Bid

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http://www.cqpolitics.com/2007/06/bloomberg_files_as_independent.html

Bloomberg Files as Independent Amid Speculation of White House Bid
By Greg Giroux | 8:00 PM; Jun. 19, 2007 | Email This Article

New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg, a former Democrat who was twice elected as a liberal Republican, is formally becoming a political independent — a move that will intensify speculation that he is considering a presidential race in 2008.

In a statement issued Tuesday, Bloomberg said he had filed papers with the New York City Board of Elections “to change my status as a voter and register as unaffiliated with any political party.”

“Although my plans for the future haven’t changed, I believe this brings my affiliation into alignment with how I have led and will continue to lead our city,” Bloomberg said.

Bloomberg, a billionaire businessman and philanthropist, was a lifelong Democrat when he decided to run for New York City mayor in 2001 — but on the Republican ballot line. Bloomberg narrowly defeated Democratic nominee Mark Green, then easily beat Democrat Fernando Ferrer in 2005. A term-limits law bars him from seeking re-election as mayor in 2009.

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