The political “Steamroller” is back on the move.
Disgraced former Gov. Eliot Spitzer said last night he had gathered 27,000 voter signatures in his bid to run for city comptroller.
That’s seven times more than the 3,750 valid signatures needed to get on the ballot.
It’s unclear how many are legitimate, but a beaming Spitzer, who personally delivered four boxes of petitions to the Board of Elections downtown headquarters at 10:30 p.m., said there’s no doubt that he’s gotten enough qualified signatures to meet the threshold.
He handed in the names after canvassing for just 3 / days before the filing deadline, because he didn’t announce his surprise candidacy until last Sunday.
He said the number was “against the odds and all predictions — and in spite of some who tried to thwart the effort.”
Addressing those who participated in the petition effort, Spitzer said, “I pledge to stand with you against the special interests and on the crucial issues.”
Insiders expect allies of Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, who had been running unopposed for the Democratic nod for comptroller, to challenge the validity of Spitzer’s signatures.
But Spitzer, the self-described “steamroller” who resigned as governor in 2008 after being snared in a prostitution scandal, said he’s ready for a fight.
“I would think that anybody who would challenge 27,000 signatures would be sending a statement that they don’t really believe in democracy,” Spitzer said.
“We don’t believe bosses dictate who gets on the ballot.”
Stringer said he’s ready to go mano-a-mano with Spitzer.
When it was revealed that Spitzer will lighten up after a frenetic week by jetting to Los Angeles today to appear on Jay Leno’s show tonight, Stringer pounced.
“Sadly for Jay Leno, Eliot Spitzer’s resignation from office was no laughing matter,” said Stringer’s spokeswoman, Audrey Gelman.
Earlier, Spitzer exchanged hugs and kisses and took pictures with canvassers who handed in their petitions at the Fifth Avenue office of his consultant, the Brown Miller Group.
Political veterans said some of the petitioners had done a shoddy job.
“Woman gathering signatures for Spitzer just now did not ask me whether I was a registered Dem,” Deputy Mayor Howard Wolfson tweeted.
“Hope for his sake they are asking others.”