Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg plans to endorse Hillary Clinton in a prime time address at the Democratic convention, the New York Times reported on Sunday. Citing Bloomberg’s adviser Howard Wolfson, the newspaper said that he plans to make the case for Clinton from the “perspective of a business leader and an independent.” Bloomberg, who was previously elected as a Republican and later became an independent, has been sharply critical of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, and in particular of his fellow New Yorker’s inflammatory rhetoric on immigration.
Bloomberg will make the endorsement speech Wednesday night. The billionaire media mogul opted against running as a third-party candidate for fear it might siphon away votes from Clinton and help elect Republican Donald Trump. Bloomberg had previously been a Democrat before switching his party affiliation to Republican before his successful 2001 run for mayor. Bloomberg, who served three terms, later became an independent and a leading advocate for gun control.
Bloomberg had earlier also endorsed Obama for re-election in 2012. He wrote in a column that Obama’s views on climate change had been the decisive factor.
(With AP inputs)
