De Blasio backs Clinton for 2016

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio is backing Hillary Clinton for the 2016 Democratic presidential nomination.

“The candidate who I believe can fundamentally address income inequality effectively, who has the right vision and the right experience to get the job done, is Hillary Clinton,” he said on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” on Friday.

VIDEO: @BilldeBlasio endorses @HillaryClinton for President https://t.co/eeu3Q917y2

— Morning Joe (@Morning_Joe) October 30, 2015

“I’m extremely pleased with what she has put on the table,” de Blasio said. “She has a history of fighting on the issues that convinces me.

{mosads}“We have to restore the middle class,” added de Blasio, who was Clinton’s campaign manager during her successful bid for one of New York’s Senate seats in 2000.

“Hillary Clinton knows how to do it, will get it done and has a progressive platform that speaks to all we need.”

De Blasio’s support follows months of speculation over whether he would get behind his former boss during next year’s White House race. He also met with presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) during his visit to New York last month.

Clinton touted de Blasio’s backing as one of a slew of mayoral endorsements nationwide.

“I’m honored to receive the support of more than 85 mayors across the country today – because mayors know how to get things done,” she said in a statement.

“As Senator, I worked with mayors from across New York who were committed to finding creative ways to help families get ahead and stay ahead,” Clinton added.

“As president, I will fight alongside mayors to rebuild and modernize our infrastructure, get middle class income rising and address the epidemic of gun violence.”

Clinton’s campaign lists Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel (D), Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter (D) and Charleston Mayor Joe Riley (D) among her supporters.

This story was updated at 10:05 a.m.