Billionaire investor Bill Ackman is flexing his political muscle again, this time by publicly promoting former hedge fund manager Whitney Tilson's candidacy for New York mayor. That's because “we don't want New York City to become San Francisco or, God forbid, Los Angeles.”
Tilson, who founded Kase Capital Management in 1999 and was one of the first prominent Democrats to call on President Joe Biden to withdraw from the 2024 race, will challenge the incumbent in June's Democratic primary. He threw himself into the ring to challenge Mayor Eric Adams.
Mr. Ackman, who heads Pershing Square Capital Management, expressed support for Mr. Tilson on social media platform He expressed confidence in his ability to activate. city.
“We don't want New York City to become San Francisco, or, let's face it, Los Angeles. The Whitney will save us,” Ackman wrote.
“He will encourage young and talented people to join the government.”
San Francisco has been in a tough spot since the coronavirus pandemic, with businesses fleeing the city's high taxes, soaring crime rates, rampant homelessness, rampant drug use and declining overall quality of life.
Los Angeles, partially destroyed by rapidly spreading wildfires, is facing similar challenges.
Ackman and his wife, Neri Oxman, recently hosted a fundraiser for Tilson and highlighted their support for him.
Mr. Ackman has previously used the X platform to express his political opinions, supporting candidates such as former Rep. Dean Phillips (D-Minn.), supporting President-elect Donald Trump, and expressing his political opinions. , has expressed support for Israel after the presidential election in October 2023. Hamas attacks.
Tilson, 58, remains active in philanthropy, serving on the advisory board of Ackman's Pershing Square Foundation and on the board of the South Bronx charter school KIPP Academy.
He officially began his campaign for mayor in November.
Adams faces declining poll numbers and federal corruption charges, and is competing against a crowded field of candidates.
Incumbent mayors are considered particularly vulnerable because they have numerous legal issues.
Adams has pleaded not guilty to federal corruption charges, including charges of receiving illegal campaign contributions and misappropriating city funds.
His trial is scheduled for April.
Several of Adams' aides are also the subject of criminal investigations, further increasing scrutiny of his leadership.
Other Democrats running against Adams include City Auditor Brad Lander, former Comptroller Scott Stringer and Brooklyn State Sen. Zellner Miley.
Ackman did not endorse Adams in the 2021 mayoral race, instead contributing to rivals Ray McGuire and Andrew Yang and backing an independent PAC that supports McGuire.
