Carrión Opts To Enter Race for City Comptroller

The race for city comptroller is heating up early, with the president of the Bronx, Adolfo Carrión Jr., announcing plans to run for the seat in 2009, ending speculation that he would run for mayor. Mr. Carrión joins a growing field of candidates that includes three City Council members: David Yassky of Brooklyn, Melinda Katz of Queens, and David Weprin of Queens, and an Assemblyman of Brooklyn, James Brennan.

Another council member who represents parts of Brooklyn, Simcha Felder, is expected to enter the race. A council member of Queens, John Liu, is considered a potential candidate.

Mr. Carrión, formerly a city planner and member of the council, said yesterday he is anxious to wrap his arms around the city's pension fund and ensure the efficient operation of city agencies. When asked why he wasn't going to run for mayor, he said: "Now is the time for this."

"I've talked to a lot of people all over the city — friends, elected officials, obviously, most importantly, to my family," he said, after announcing his 2009 intentions at the end of a breakfast speech to the Association for a Better New York held at the Grand Hyatt New York yesterday. "I think this is the right decision for me at this time."

Mr. Carrión, who is president of the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials, said racial politics did not factor into his decision. If he had joined the mayor's race, he would have been competing against the city comptroller, William Thompson Jr., who is black. Some speculated such a contest could hinder both campaigns.

Mr. Thompson is expected to run against Rep. Anthony Weiner, who has officially declared his candidacy, and the speaker of the council, Christine Quinn, who has not.

"Adolfo Carrión has distinguished himself as a leader and an accomplished public servant. He would be a formidable candidate for any citywide position that he seeks," Mr. Thompson said in a statement.

Mr.Carrión lives on City Island with his wife and four children. Indicating that he had planned to run for mayor, he told The New York Sun in July that he thought Gracie Mansion was ready for family life again.