Stephen Green on '09 Mayor Race: Weiner or Thompson Will Win, Be Pro-Growth

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By Eliot Brown

December 5, 2007 | 3:36 p.m

Anthony Weiner, left, and William Thompson Jr.

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Stephen Green, the chairman of the city's largest office landlord SL Green, gave his thoughts about the 2009 mayoral race at an investor’s conference on Monday, in response to a question about how a new mayor might affect the city's business climate.

Mr. Green--whose brother, Mark Green, lost to Mayor Bloomberg in the 2001 general election--seemed to be optimistic about the Democratic field, which he has narrowed to two realistic contenders (at least six Democrats are said to be seriously considering a run).

“We have, really in my mind, two serious … Democratic candidates—one is Congressman [Anthony] Weiner—one is [city] Comptroller [Bill] Thompson. Comptroller Thompson traditionally has aligned himself with the unions. Weiner—surprise, surprise—has identified himself with the underclass and the middle-class. Both, I think, are pro-growth, both have come out against increased taxation, and I believe over the next 10 years, two with Bloomberg, if either of those two candidates succeed—and I believe one of the two will be elected mayor—I believe we will have a pro growth administration somewhat similar to what we've had.”

Mr. Green seemed to be holding Mr. Bloomberg in high regard, at least with respect to policies that affect large real estate firms: Under the Bloomberg administration, he said, “it’s a market-driven economy—he believes in a traditional free enterprise system—he's very pro development.”