De Blasio, whose second mayoral term ended last year, announced on MSNBC's "Morning Joe" that he will seek the Democratic nomination for the 10th Congressional District, which will include part of Manhattan and a swath of western Brooklyn.
[Ads /]
"We are going through so many challenges right now," De Blasio told Eyewitness News reporter NJ Burkett on Friday. "I have talked to so many New Yorkers who are really struggling, because of COVID, because of the cost of living, and they need real answers. They need help now."
He acknowledges his poll numbers were not high when he left office, but he believes the voters know he had the best of intentions.
"(The polling) is OK because we make tough decisions, especially in a crisis," he said. "I believe that I was doing absolutely my very best I could and doing what I believed is right to protect the people in this city. And in the end, I think a lot of people will look at that and say, we need help now. We need someone who knows how to do it. We need someone who's been there."
He also knows many people are calling for fresh -- and younger -- blood in Congress, especially in the Democratic party.
"What matters is your commitment to serving people and making a difference in their lives," he said. "The goal here, especially in a time of profound uncertainty, is to show people a way forward."
[Ads /]
The redrawn map was a big motivator to get him into the race.
"This Congressional district looks like my old City Council district," he said. "It is the community I come from. This is where my kids were born. This is where I got married. This is my community, and the opportunity to serve my community and make a difference, especially at a time like this, where there are so many problems and challenges."
Democratic U.S. Rep. Jerry Nadler represents New York's 10th District now but will no longer live in the district under maps that have been redrawn under the supervision of a New York judge.
Nadler has said he believed the new maps are unconstitutional - but if the proposed districts do become final on Friday, he intends to run in the 12th District, currently represented by Rep. Carolyn Maloney.
The primary has been pushed back from June to August 23.
[Ads /]
De Blasio, 61, toyed with running for governor this year but decided not to challenge incumbent Democrat Kathy Hochul. He also had a short-lived run for president in 2019.
(The Associated Press contributed to this report)
ALSO READ | Homemade baby formula could be dangerous: What parents can do amid shortage
Amid baby formula shortage, experts are warning against DIY options
----------
* Get Eyewitness News Delivered
* More New York City news
* Send us a news tip
* Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts
* Follow us on YouTube