Bill de Blasio quotes

Bill de Blasio is an American politician who served as the Mayor of New York City from 2014 to 2021. Known for his progressive policies, he focused on issues such as affordable housing and universal pre-K education. He continues to be active in public life and political debates. Here are 26 of his quotes:

There is nothing wrong with listening. You can listen to people; you can hear people's concerns. You can keep an open mind and still be perfectly strong. (Bill de Blasio)
I didn't set out with the notion of running for elective office; it sort of grew over time. And I honestly at times questioned if progressive change can be effected through elected office. View quote
Bill de Blasio
I have an activist's desire to improve people's lives. View quote
Bill de Blasio
While this has been a private part of my family's life, it is now clear a media story will soon emerge. My father tragically ended his life while battling terminal cancer in 1979. View quote
Bill de Blasio
Look, the New Democrat approach, from my point of view, didn't work. That governing approach didn't stop the progression that led us to a thoroughly Republican House and now Senate, and a national debate that doesn't even address the real issues. The economic crisis of today - the only parallel is the Great Depression. That's just a fact. The difference is, there's no light at the end of the tunnel now. View quote
Bill de Blasio
At a certain point, particularly in his third term, Mayor Bloomberg lost touch with the people he was serving. View quote
Bill de Blasio
I have a bold plan to break from the Bloomberg years, and end the 'Tale of Two Cities' by providing real opportunity to all New Yorkers, no matter where they live. View quote
Bill de Blasio
I've always had a very positive relationship with the municipal labor unions - a respectful relationship. View quote
Bill de Blasio
I think a lot of the best ideas come from the grassroots; I'm someone who does not like a bunker mentality and does not like groupthink. View quote
Bill de Blasio
I think small business is struggling in New York City. It's a fantastic market, it's a very appealing market, there's lots of opportunity, at the same time it's a very difficult place to build a small business. View quote
Bill de Blasio
I love the MLB app, because I'm a pretty obsessed baseball fan. (Bill de Blasio)
My parents were divorced when I was young. I was really brought up by my mother's side of the family. View quote
Bill de Blasio
There are families of every kind. I think a lot of people are struggling to make sense of their identity in a very complicated world. View quote
Bill de Blasio
My professional life has been about public service. My personal life I define very intently through my family. View quote
Bill de Blasio
Going back to high school and college, I believed I would be involved in public service. I literally could not conceptualize anything else. View quote
Bill de Blasio
I think Bloomberg's broad vision of the environment in New York City is something I agree with. I broadly stand with his vision for how to deal with climate change and prepare for future weather events. View quote
Bill de Blasio
Everyone I knew was a Red Sox fan. Living up there in 1967 - the Impossible Dream season - that moment was incredibly compelling. I just naturally gravitated to the team. Nineteen seventy-five was arguably the greatest World Series of all time. View quote
Bill de Blasio
My father was a picture of courage in terms of his war service and strength, and yet in his decline, I learned primarily negative lessons. I learned what not to do. View quote
Bill de Blasio
[Response when asked by a reporter if his ‘relationship with the governor is deteriorating'] No, I think it's pretty much consistent. View quote
Bill de Blasio
[about his father] I have a real respect, and a real anger and sadness at the same time. I don't think I've ever been able to do the math on exactly what it all means. View quote
Bill de Blasio
Tonight we took another big step toward a fairer city for all, tonight another ratification of all that we've been doing together and it's going to give us the fuel to go farther. (Bill de Blasio)
If you could remove News Corp from the last 25 years of American history, we would be in an entirely different place. View quote
Bill de Blasio
My message to the Jewish community, and all communities, is this simple: the time for warnings has passed. I have instructed the NYPD to proceed immediately to summons or even arrest those who gather in large groups. This is about stopping this disease and saving lives. Period. View quote
Bill de Blasio
My wife and family, to say the least, are the center of my life; they are my grounding. I don't want to sound schmaltzy, but they are my inspiration and you name it. View quote
Bill de Blasio
I am very much a Red Sox fan; I can name you more players than you could possibly imagine. It's just part of who I am. View quote
Bill de Blasio