Disgraced ex-congressman Weiner mulls bid for NY mayor

WASHINGTON (JTA) — Ex-New York Rep. Anthony Weiner, who was forced out of office by a scandal, is considering a run for New York City mayor.

Weiner, 48, and his wife, Huma Abedin, submitted to an extensive profile in this weekend’s New York Times Magazine in part because Weiner is testing the waters for a possible run in this year’s race.

The veteran Democratic lawmaker resigned from Congress in June 2011 after lying about tweeting an illicit photo of himself to a 21-year-old supporter.

According to the newspaper, Weiner has polled New Yorkers and has found that they are ready to forgive him, but that a mayoral bid would likely be a long shot.

He faces a crowded field, but still has millions in his political war chest from before his resignation, when he was considered a front-runner to replace Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who has exhausted his allowed three terms.

Weiner has not counted out running for another position, such as comptroller, which could serve as a springboard for a mayoral bid in four years.