Bloomberg gears up to join 2020 Democratic primary

After backing down from making a presidential bid earlier this year, philanthropist and former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg has just filed to be on the ballot in Arkansas for next year’s Democratic presidential primary election. Bloomberg’s goal in entering the crowded race would be to become the centrist candidate of choice following what he has perceived as lagging efforts from former Vice President Joe Biden’s campaign. And it’s likely he’ll face steep challenges, thanks in no small part to his late entry.  

New York City nonprofits are well acquainted with Bloomberg, who served both as the city’s mayor for three terms and is head of the third-largest foundation in the area. His mayoral tenure was marked by major development, changes to the city’s public schools, and a push to enact a smoking ban in restaurants. But some see him as having a mixed record on issues facing New York’s most vulnerable. Christine Quinn, president of shelter provider Women in Need, and who served as City Council speaker during Bloomberg’s time in City Hall, told the New York Times he “took aggressive steps from a policy perspective to hurt the homeless.” 

Several local organizations remain on good terms with Bloomberg, perhaps in part because of his continued philanthropy as the second-largest donor in the country, according to the Chronicle of Philanthropy. He recently made an appearance at the Fortune Society’s annual gala, celebrating a partnership between Bloomberg Philanthropies and the nonprofit, and took to Twitter yesterday to congratulate outgoing Sister Paulette LoMonaco, executive director of Good Shepherd Services, on her retirement.