Staten Island stock trader and talk show host John Tabacco is planning to throw his hat into the race for City Comptroller, he told The Post.
“I am running for the job because I love New York and I am looking at a city that is facing the worst financial armageddon that I have ever seen in my life,” Tabacco, 53, said. “If I don’t give every bit of my God given talents to get New York City back on its feet, I forfeit my opportunity be a critic of whoever tries it.”
Tabacco, who spent decades on Wall Street, says every ounce of his business skills will be needed. The city’s current comptroller, Scott Stringer, has predicted an $8.33 billion shortfall in the 2021 fiscal year budget.
Tabacco, who hosts a television show called “Liquid Lunch” on BizTV, is seeking the Republican nomination, and faces an uphill battle in the overwhelmingly Democratic city. He plans to drop at least $100,000 of his own cash and then seek city matching funds.
“I have shown a capacity over my life to create things and think outside the box and make money out of thin air,” he said. “I will take my skillset and resources and do everything I can to get New York City off the ventilator and back on its feet.”