Former Texas Rep. Beto O’Rourke explained on Wednesday that he wouldn’t vote for fellow presidential candidate New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio if he weren’t running.
“If you weren’t running, would you consider voting for him?” a reporter asked O’Rourke.
When @BetoORourke was asked if he would consider voting for @BilldeBlasio if he weren’t running, the former congressman said, “probably not.”
“We’re so focused on this campaign and what we bring to the table, what we are doing, I may just not see that in the mayor’s campaign.” pic.twitter.com/MRHglR9e8v— Briana K. Stewart (@BrianaKStewart) June 12, 2019
“Probably not, to be honest, but I think he is a good person who is doing his best for this city and for this country,” O’Rourke answered. “[I] appreciate his public service and I’m grateful he’s running.”
NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 11: New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio speaks about public housing during a press conference at City Hall, June 11, 2018 in New York City. On Monday, federal prosecutors released a report summarizing a two-year investigation into the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA). (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
“I was just being honest and I hadn’t thought about the question before. Look, there are 24 other extraordinary candidates in that race,” he continued. “I guess the honest answer is we’re so focused on this campaign, and what we’re doing, and what we bring to the table. I may just not see that in the mayor’s campaign.”
.@BetoORourke asked in NYC if he would consider voting for @BilldeBlasio if he himself was not running: ‘Probably not”.
Asked why, Beto: “we’re so focused on this campaign and what we’re doing, and what we bring to the table, I may just not see that in the mayor’s campaign.”— Pat Ward (@WardDPatrick) June 12, 2019
According to Monday’s Morning Consult poll, O’Rourke was sixth tallying 4%, with de Blasio failing to reach 1%. The poll surveyed 17,012 registered voters from June 3 – 9.
Despite de Blasio’s abysmal polling, he has qualified for the first presidential debate, which is two weeks away.