Michael Bloomberg’s top political adviser says the former mayor of New York City would be willing to spend at least $100 million of his personal fortune if he enters the 2020 presidential race.
Howard Wolfson told CNBC on Thursday that it only makes sense for a man who spent a fortune on winning the mayoralty would increase his spending to boost his profile on the national stage.
“Mike spent more than $100 million in his last mayor’s race,” Mr. Wolfson said via email. “[The] last time I looked, NYC is a fraction of the size of the country as a whole.”
The Republican-turned-Independent-turned-Democrat may need the cash advantage, as a recent Quinnipiac University poll found 84 percent of Democrats favor former Vice President Joe Biden.
The survey also tallied Mr. Bloomberg’s overall unfavorable rating at 32 percent.
Mr. Wolfson told the network that the billionaire would spend “whatever is required” to fend off opponents in the Democratic Party’s primary election.
He also vowed that campaign funds would not come from political action committees.
“Mike has run for office three times and never took a dime of PAC money. Not sure why that would change now,” Mr. Wolfson said.
• Douglas Ernst can be reached at dernst@washingtontimes.com.
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