Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Grocer Willing to Produce Green in Express Lane to Mayor's Office
By
Dave Hogarty
Published Oct 13, 2007
Modified Mar 7, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Dave Hogarty
Published Oct 13, 2007
Modified Mar 7, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
John Catsimatidis is hoping to follow in Mayor Bloomberg's footsteps by becoming a Democrat who follows the path of least resistance into Gracie Mansion. The owner of the Gristedes supermarket chain has millions of dollars to burn and would like to become the Mayor of New York City. Even for a lifelong Democrat like Catsimatidis, the easiest road to City Hall is to bypass the scrum of party politics and simply get oneself elected as a Republican in a heavily Democratic city. Green apparently beats both red and blue in the media center of the world, and it's possible for enough cash to overcome many obstacles.
Mayor Bloomberg's office cost about $100 a vote in his bid to be elected Mayor. He spent $73 million and $85 million to be elected and re-elected, respectively. John Catsimitadis says that he is willing to outspend Mayor Mike during his campaign if necessary. Good luck to Democratic opponents looking to raise that type of money, no matter how many rubber chicken dinners they host.
Catsimitadis has not formally announced his intent to run for office, but did switch from a registered Democrat who donated a lot of money to the Clintons, to the Republican party. With a never ending stream of multi-millionaire, or -billionaire, Democratic candidates at the ready to run for Mayor as Republicans, we're not sure which party should be more happy, angry, or confused.
The number of Gristedes supermarkets in the city have been decreasing over the last decade, but Catsimatadis' wealth has grown as real estate and oil prices have soared.
(Groceries, by triborough at flickr)
Tagged
bloomberg
chicken
city
City hall
democrat
gracie mansion
green
john catsimatidis
mayor
mayor bloomberg
mayor mike
media
money
new york
new york city
News: NYC
photos
Politics
real estate
republican
republicans
the city
wealth
Dave Hogarty
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Mamdani says Trump will 'immediately' grant visa to Ghanaian mom of slain Bronx teen
Javits Frimpong, whose family is from Ghana, was walking to school Thursday morning when he was shot and killed.
By
Christian Santana
and
Giulia Heyward
Published Oct 31, 2026
Modified Oct 31, 2026 at 7:03 p.m. ET
Overflowing school in downtown Jersey City is hitting a crisis point, parents say
There aren't great options for relieving overcrowding at P.S. 16 in Paulus Hook. It's a consequence of a economic boom — and huge influx of residents.
By
Michael Sol Warren
News
Overflowing school in downtown Jersey City is hitting a crisis point, parents say
There aren't great options for relieving overcrowding at P.S. 16 in Paulus Hook. It's a consequence of a economic boom — and huge influx of residents.
By
Michael Sol Warren
Bronx e-bike fire that killed a boy has claimed 3 more lives, NYPD says
By
Amanda Rozon
Donald Trump looms over New York attorney general’s race
By
Jon Campbell
and
Walter Wuthmann
How formerly homeless New Yorkers are helping others get off the streets
By
Karen Yi
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .