Rep. Anthony Weiner called Mayor Bloomberg's decision to change term limits and run for re-election "wrong" and said he's staying in the 2009 race, which brings the tally of potential candidates to five.
Weiner, Bloomberg, Comptroller Bill Thompson and Coucilman Tony Avella have all said they intend to run. Supermarket mogul John Catsimatidis is still in exploration mode.
Despite the fact that Council Speaker Christine Quinn has said she won't run for mayor if term limits are extended, Weiner couldn't help but take a bit of a veiled swipe at her, suggesting that anyone who goes along with Bloomberg's plan can no longer claim the mantle of reform.
The congressman made a case for letting the public have a say by holding a special election on term limits, despite the fact that it might not be a "fair fight" given all the money Bloomberg could spend to convince the voters to see things his way.
He pointed out that there are likely to be a number of off-cycle races in the near future anyway.
Councilman Hiram Monserrate's seat is all-but certain to be vacant after he's elected to the Senate in November.
In addition, Councilman Joe Addabbo has a good shot at ousting Sen. Serf Maltese, and Councilman Jim Gennaro is running (albeit in a far more longshot race) against Sen. Frank Padavan.
Another possible vacancy: Councilman Mike McMahon's Staten Island seat, assuming he beats Bob Straniere in the 13th CD.
Interestingly, Weiner chose to hold his press conference outside City Hall rather than on the steps. Not sure what to make of that. But he is so far the only one of the '09 contenders today bothered to even try to keep separate politics and government.
