New York City Council speaker launches her candidacy for NYC mayor

New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn has joined the race to succeed Mayor Michael Bloomberg for the role of New York City Mayor.

On Sunday, Quinn, considered a front-runner for the job, announced her official candidacy.

According to Reuters, Quinn would be both the first female and the first openly gay mayor of New York City.

Quinn, a Democrat, made her announcement via Twitter. She tweeted, “It's official: I’m running for mayor to fight for the middle class #Quinn4NY.”

It's official: I’m running for mayor to fight for the middle class #Quinn4NY. Watch my video & RT -CQ goo.gl/wsuzY

— Christine Quinn (@Quinn4NY) March 10, 2013

The tweet linked to a video in which Quinn discussed the importance of safety on the streets of New York as well as improved education. Another goal of hers is job creation.

Quinn also discusses her family life, saying that she grew up on Long Island with a social worker mother and an electrical worker father. Her mother died of breast cancer when she was 16 years old.

Quinn said she is carrying out her mother’s mission to make every moment a chance to improve the world around her.