Bill de Blasio’s religious beliefs became an issue in the mayoral race on the eve of Election Day.
A supporter of Joe Lhota turned up at a Harlem campaign event for the Republican mayoral candidate Monday and questioned how de Blasio could believe in God since he’s a “closet socialist.”
“Bill de Blasio says he doesn’t believe in churches, and he doesn’t believe in God, either, since he’s a closet socialist that helped the Sandinistas and he honeymooned in Cuba,” an announcer blared over the loudspeakers of a van.
When Lhota arrived minutes later, he condemned the message and said he would make sure it’s withdrawn.
“I mean, if I find out who’s doing it, making statements like that, they will stop saying it.” Lhota promised.
Lhota supporter Dany Esquilin claimed responsibility, saying he’s spending up to $2,000 and sending five such vans to 30 neighborhoods to attack de Blasio.
Records show Esquilin was paid more than $26,000 by Lhota’s campaign last month.
But campaign spokesman Jessica Proud said Esquilin showed up on his own in Harlem and insisted his remarks were not authorized.
De Blasio
said that, while he’s not a member of any congregation, he is a “spiritual person.”