New York Mayor Bill de Blasio is facing a backlash from black church leaders who are unhappy with a number of his policies and are actively searching for a candidate to run against him in 2017,
the New York Post reported.
Pastors told the Post that they are unhappy with the way de Blasio has handled the city's Police Department, for not providing enough contracts to minority-run businesses, and for prioritizing the interests of developers in affordable housing policies.
"There's a lot of displeasure with de Blasio," Rev. Johnnie Green of Mount Neboh Baptist Church in Harlem told the Post. "In all of the political circles in the black community, there is a constant discussion about the failures of the de Blasio administration."
He added, "We are looking for a suitable candidate to run against de Blasio next time around."
According to the Post, Brooklyn Democratic Rep. Hakeem Jeffries is at the top of their list.
"Jeffries is approachable. He listens to the concerns of the people," Green told the Post.
Black voters represented a significant constituency in de Blasio's victory and are at the core of his political base.
A Quinnipiac University poll in May found that 44 percent of New York voters said de Blasio was doing a good job, including 68 percent of black voters.
Political strategists say that a black challenger to de Blasio would present a significant obstacle to his re-election.
"The biggest threat the mayor could face is a progressive African-American in a Democratic primary," said political consultant Hank Sheinkopf, according to the Post.
"His problem is the left — not the right or the center."
For his part, Jeffries appears unlikely to take up the call.
"Congressman Jeffries is singularly focused on vigorously representing the hardworking people of Brooklyn and Queens in the 8th Congressional District. Nothing more and nothing less," said campaign adviser Cathy Toren, according to the Post.
Asked again specifically if Jeffries "has ruled out running for mayor," she responded, "No interest," the Post reported.
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