ADVERTISEMENT

Michael Bloomberg Seeks to Mobilize Women in Democratic 2020 Campaign

Michael Bloomberg Seeks to Mobilize Women in Democratic 2020 Campaign

(Bloomberg) -- Michael Bloomberg sought to mobilize female voters behind his Democratic presidential campaign on Wednesday with an organizing event in New York, saying women will be the difference in ousting Donald Trump from office.

“When we defeat President Trump in November, I know it will be because women rose up to say, ‘Enough,”’ Bloomberg said at a rally in a New York hotel ballroom to launch a “Women for Mike” effort.

Michael Bloomberg Seeks to Mobilize Women in Democratic 2020 Campaign

The push comes as Bloomberg is facing questions about lawsuits that accuse him of making crude remarks at work in the 1990s and fostering an uncomfortable work environment for women, as well as whether he should release women from non-disclosure agreements. Bloomberg has denied the allegations.

Bloomberg is the founder and majority owner of Bloomberg LP, the parent company of Bloomberg News.

At the rally in New York, with a “Women for Mike” sign, video boards and a large group of women behind him on stage, Bloomberg ticked off the issues involving women he supports and contrasted that with what he called Trump’s inaction on women’s issues.

Bloomberg has promised actions he said would benefit women, including working with Congress to codify Roe v. Wade, which legalized abortions, supporting funding for Planned Parenthood and an initiative to improve maternal health and reduce deaths, especially among women of color.

Several women who have worked with or supported Bloomberg urged women to get involved in the campaign and recruit supporters, especially in the states voting March 3 on so-called Super Tuesday that Bloomberg is targeting. The speakers included actress Lorraine Bracco, who endorsed Bloomberg in his first campaign for mayor in 2001.

“I’m not here just because I want Trump out of the White House,” Bracco said. “I’m here because I want Mike Bloomberg in it.”

The effort comes as Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren, in response to an ABC News report in December about the lawsuits, has called on Bloomberg to allow women who signed non-disclosure agreements with his company to speak publicly.

The network has said it has spoken with several women who expressed an interest in talking but are subject to confidentiality agreements. Bloomberg has said parties can’t walk away from legal agreements, and he reiterated during an appearance on “The View” television program earlier Wednesday that he wouldn’t release the women from the pacts.

The former New York mayor said most women in his company would say it’s a good place to work.

“Did I ever tell a bawdy joke?” he said on the TV program. “Yeah, sure I did. And do I regret it? Yes, it’s embarrassing, but, you know, that’s the way I grew up.”

To contact the reporter on this story: Mark Niquette in Columbus at mniquette@bloomberg.net

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Wendy Benjaminson at wbenjaminson@bloomberg.net, Max Berley, Jon Herskovitz

©2020 Bloomberg L.P.