Newly re-elected New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said Thursday the police officers have come around to supporting him after a rocky relationship in his first term.
“I think a lot of rank-and-file officers saw over time that I believe in making real investments in them. More training, better equipment, all the things that can make their lives better and safer,” Mr. de Blasio, a Democrat, said on MSNBC.
Mr. de Blasio won his second term on Tuesday after an unpopular first term. His issues with the police union in particular highlighted his tense relationship with some important groups in the city. He said his recommitment to working people helped solidify his win.
“This is what Democrats used to be very good at and should be again. A central message around people’s economic needs showing that we could use government as a positive tool to improve their economic reality and that of their children ahead,” Mr. de Blasio said when talking about his party’s overall success at the polls this week.
He said Democrats are back in the political fight and will continue to do so heading into 2018’s midterm elections.
“This party started receding from whole swaths of the country and not contesting things — huge mistake in my view. You go everywhere. You contest every inch,” he explained.
• Sally Persons can be reached at spersons@washingtontimes.com.
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