Bill de Blasio is still holding out on the coveted Bill de Blasio presidential endorsement

(Image credit: Andrew Burton/Getty Images)

published 7 October 2015

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio quietly met with Democratic presidential contender Bernie Sanders in September, The Wall Street Journal reports, the latest reminder that the liberal mayor has yet to endorse a candidate in his party's primary. The Journal also reports that de Blasio wants to preside over a candidates' forum in Iowa in 2016, a sign that his ambition to become a national leader on progressive issues has not abated despite criticism that de Blasio is ignoring problems at home.

Mr. de Blasio's forum will focus on income inequality and other issues he wants to be a part of the presidential campaign. The mayor's camp has zeroed in on early December as a likely time and Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa, near Des Moines, as a likely venue.The mayor wants politicians of both parties to attend. Representatives for Mr. Sanders, an independent running for the Democratic nomination, and Democratic former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley have expressed interest in attending. [The Wall Street Journal]