New York, NY – Little more than a year after resigning amid a humiliating sex scandal, reports are surfacing that former democratic congressman Anthony Weiner is considering a return to politics, possibly even a 2013 New York City mayoral bid.
The story originated in theNew York Post, which quotes unnamed sources as saying Weiner is “seriously considering” running for mayor. Weiner was largely considered a favorite when a sex scandal and ensuing cover-up derailed those plans.
Weiner resigned back in June 2011after admitting to texting sexually suggestive photos of himself to several women, and then lying about it by claiming his twitter was hacked.
But in recent weeks Weiner has gradually re-entered the political arena, publicly giving his support for President Obama’s Affordable Healthcare Act in the weeks leading up to and following the Supreme Court’s historic decision.
In an interview on the topic with WNYC last month, Weiner didn’t deny that he would consider a return to politics when asked, saying:
“I still have regrets. I paid a very high price, but I’m still committed to the same things I was. And I have a 6-month old that I have to go and feed now. … As I said when I resigned, I feel great regret for the people I let down.”
Weiner’s wife Huma Abedin, who serves as Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s deputy chief of staff, was three months pregnant when the scandal broke and her husband resigned. She gave birth to their son in December.
Adding fuel to the campaign fire, the fact that Weiner has a financial deadline approaching by which to announce a campaign launch. According to a recently filed campaign report, Weiner still has $4.5 million in campaign funds saved up, and has to use it by the end of the year, or else he’ll forfeit $1.5 million in public matching funds.
