The stage is set for New York’s next mayor to hail from one of the outer boroughs, political pundits say.
“In 2013, many voters will revolt against Manhattan,” predicted analyst Hank Sheinkopf. “You can feel the tension.”
“The feeling is Manhattan gets everything while they get nothing, ” he added.
Fueling the fire are the Bloomberg administration’s attempts to add tolls to the East River bridges and the poor job the city did clearing outer-borough streets in last winter’s blizzard compared to Manhattan, analysts said.
This, they said, will create a more level playing field for potential candidates like Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, Comptroller John Liu (D-Queens) and Public Advocate Bill de Blasio (D-Brooklyn).
The city has historically elected mayors who live in Manhattan.
In Nov. 1973, Abe Beame, who rose to power out of Brooklyn Democratic machine, became the last outer-borough candidate elected mayor. Voters bounced him out of office four years later after his term was marred by a fiscal crisis that almost led to the city declaring bankruptcy.
“It’s traditionally been difficult for [outer-borough candidates] because the city’s elite and the media has primarily focused on Manhattan candidates,” said Doug Muzzio, a political-science professor at Baruch College. “But the right candidate at the right time can win wherever he or she is from.”