Schumer Endorses de Blasio for Mayor

Near the beginning of a long trail of endorsements from here to Election Day, Bill de Blasio has secured the backing of New York Sen. Chuck Schumer. 

Schumer stood with de Blasio on the steps of Brooklyn Borough Hall Friday afternoon to throw his support behind the Democrat in the race.

"New York needs big, bold ideas to meet the challenges before us, and a laser focus on making sure the economic pie is shared more equitably with all New Yorkers," Schumer said. "Bill de Blasio is the leader to achieve these goals, and I will do all I can to help make these objectives become reality."

Schumer also helped pitched de Blasio's "Tale of Two Cities" message, according to the public advocate's twitter feed.

"Bill will focus like a laser on getting the poverty level down and median incomes up," Schumer said.

Schumer's support solidifies de Blasio's standing among more old school New York Democrats, most of whom are already solidly behind him. In a recent poll, he had the backing of more than three-quarters of city Democrats.

"At a time when working New Yorkers are struggling to make ends meet, Senator Schumer has never forgotten that a strong and vibrant economy is based on a growing middle class. I'm proud to stand with him," de Blasio said.