After staying away for most of the time, Mayor-elect Bill de Blasio is getting involved in the race for City Council speaker.

Sources tell NY1 that de Blasio and his top political aide are calling City Council members to express their support for one of the candidates: Melissa Mark-Viverito.

She was the first member of the Council to endorse de Blasio’s bid for mayor and she’s seen as a perfect fit to lead the progressive movement in the Council.

The Mayor-Elect’s more-to-lose move comes after constant and excessive pressure from the Unions who supported Mr. de Blasio’s candidacy for mayor, a source involved in the race for Speaker told YWN.

The source, who spoke to YWN on the condition of anonymity, added that Mr. de Blasio is not necessarily pushing Ms. Mark-Viverito’s candidacy, rather calling up members and letting them know she’s his preferred candidate for Speaker of the City Council.

Some observers doubt this last minute push will result in Ms. Mark-Viverito getting the votes needed. Democratic County leaders are expected to meet and decide their pick in the coming days.

(Jacob Kornbluh – YWN)