Quinn (YouTube)
Christine Quinn made it official on Sunday, announcing her intention to run for mayor of New York City mayor.
"I'm running because I love this city," Quinn said in a glossy, often-emotional video posted to her campaign's website, QuinnforNewYork.com. In it, the Democrat talked about her Irish Catholic, middle class upbringing on Long Island, as well as her mother, who died of breast cancer when Quinn was 16.
“My mother’s life and death left me with the belief that our obligation is to use every moment we have on this earth to make it a better place,” Quinn said.
The 46-year-old City Council speaker would not only be the first female mayor in New York City history—she'd also be the first openly gay one. Quinn married her longtime partner, Kim Catullo, last year. But as the New York Times noted, the video made no mention of Catullo "or even that Ms. Quinn is gay."
“I’m not about talking and finger-pointing and complaining," Quinn continued. "I’m about getting things done.” She promised to follow Sunday's announcement with a walking tour of the five boroughs.
"With the right leadership, I know that New York can continue to be a beacon for the rest of the world," she said. "A home for the middle class, and for all of those people working hard every day to get there."
Quinn is the third Democratic candidate to officially announce an intention to run in November's mayoral election. Bill de Blasio and Bill Thompson are also seeking to replace the city's outgoing independent mayor, Michael Bloomberg, who plans to endorse Quinn.
In a January cover profile, New York magazine declared Quinn "the crude, playful, openhearted front-runner."