Bloomberg Sees Statistical Fluke, Not Curse

Mayor Bloomberg says he doesn't think there is a curse on New York City mayors seeking another elected office, even though Mayor Giuliani has joined a list of former mayors who have failed to win higher office after leaving City Hall.

"I just think it's a statistical fluke mayors of New York City haven't gone on to other elected offices," Mr. Bloomberg said yesterday, after noting that he does not believe in curses.

In addition to Mr. Giuliani's failed presidential bid, Mayor Koch ran unsuccessfully for governor in 1982, and Mayor Lindsay ran a short-lived presidential campaign in 1971.

The last mayor to win higher office was Mayor John Hoffman, who was elected governor in 1869, and Mayor Ardolph Kline was the last mayor to hold another elected office after leaving City Hall, winning a seat in Congress in 1921, according to the Associated Press.

Mr. Bloomberg, who has been making appearances across the country in advance of a possible presidential run, said being the mayor of any city gives politicians the characteristics that would make them good governors and presidents, because they are taken to task by their constituents every day.

"Being a mayor you have to be explicit in what you stand for. You have to be held accountable," he said.