Michelle Caruso-Cabrera unveiled the first TV ads Thursday in the campaign for city comptroller — stressing her role as a “political outsider” and the only Hispanic running in the Democratic primary to be the city’s chief budget watchdog.
Caruso-Cabrera, a veteran business journalist and one-time CNBC anchor, challenged Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in the congressional primary last year. AOC won handily.
But she and other candidates are now running for an open seat for comptroller. Current Comptroller Scott Stringer, who was recently acccused of sexual harassment, is term-limited and running for mayor.
“Enough … enough with the politicians …. enough with the incompetence,” Caruso-Cabrera said in one of the two 15-second spots.
“I’m a Latina, an outsider … no ties to the city’s political establishment. I’ll fight for diversity and inclusion … And force our leaders to help those most in need.”
Caruso-Cabrera’s mother is Cuban.
The two spots are part of a $2 million ad campaign.
Her chief rivals include Council Speaker Corey Johnson, state Queens state Assemblyman David Weprin, Brooklyn Councilman Brad Lander, Harlem state Sen. Brian Benjamin and Brooklyn state Sen. Kevin Parker.
A clip from Michelle Caruso Cabrera’s first TV ad for her NYC comptroller campaign.
Lander landed in hot water last week after the Post revealed he got caught speeding in school zones eight times in five years and amassed over 100 vehicle, traffic and parking violations.
A recent NY1/Ipsos poll found the Democratic primary race for comptroller is wide open, with half of Democrats undecided.
Johnson, a late entrant to the contest. was in the lead but with just 14 percent support, followed by Caruso-Cabrera in second and then lawmakers Weprin, Parker, Benjamin and Lander.
