Anthony Weiner Comeback? Former Politician Hires Consulting Firm
Former Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-N.Y.) may be considering returning to the political arena after reports surfaced that showed he had hired a political consulting firm to conduct polling research over the public's perception of him.
The former congressman used $100,000, from his political committee on polling and research this month, according to The Wall Street Journal.
This has fueled rumors that the disgraced politician, who resigned from office after a sexting scandal, would try to return to the political stage.
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Before he resigned his office, Weiner was widely considered a leading New York City mayoral candidate, but after news broke that he had sent inappropriate pictures via text message to younger women whom he had recently met, he was forced to resign.
Weiner did not help his cause when he continually denied sending any of the inappropriate texts or pictures when news of the scandal broke, and even claimed that his Twitter account had been hacked. But weeks after the story broke, Weiner was forced to come clean over his involvement in the scandal.
When the news of Weiner's possible return broke, reaction from his former political rivals was quick and supporting, some even offered some helpful social media tips.
"I think Anthony should be there. I think he should run. Just stop texting," City Comptroller John Liu told WCBS in New York.
"I think we've got one of the most crowded mayoral races we've ever had," Public Advocate Bill de Blasio told the Daily News, adding that "everyone makes their own choice."
Financial disclosure records from New York City election officials indicate that Weiner used the $100,000 from his city campaign account, which has a current balance of around $4.3 million, so funding a return to politics does not seem to be an issue.
This leaves the politician's greatest challenge being to regain the public's support.
Weiner has yet to publically address his possible return to politics, and it may never come, depending on the results of the polling.
City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, who has been widely considered a leading mayoral candidate, also lent her support for Wiener.
"I think Anthony's future is up to Anthony, but I wish him nothing but the best, he and his family," she said.
