Russell Simmons Blasts Thompson and Quinn, Endorses de Blasio

This article was written by C. Zawadi Morris.

Queens-born hip hop icon and activist Russell Simmons endorsed Public Advocate Bill de Blasio for New York City mayor after slamming his campaign rivals City Council Speaker Christine Quinn as beholden to special interests and former city Comptroller Bill Thompson as “too quiet,” The Daily News reported.   

In an web ad that will begin appearing today, Simmons had sharp words for Quinn: “I love the idea of a gay woman as mayor,” said Simmons, “but . . . she’s been bought and managed by special interests.”   

He also dismissed ex-city Comptroller Thompson: “I don’t want a candidate who is too quiet,” said Simmons. “I want a candidate who is not afraid to offend a few people to support what he thinks is right.” 

The millionaire-mogul said he supports the public advocate’s plan to raise tax rates on wealthy New Yorkers to fund city programs and that he was impressed with de Blasio’s call to reform of the NYPD’s controversial stop-and-frisk tactic.  

“I know a lot of people who have been stopped and frisked,” said Simmons. “If they get an arrest record, it can ruin their lives.”

Simmons is the latest in a recent list of celebrity endorsements for de Blasio, including Alec Baldwin, Susan Sarandon, Sarah Jessica Parker, Cynthia Nixon and actor Alan Cumming.