Mayoral hopefuls debate NYC biz diversity strategies

(L-R) Bill de Blasio, John Liu, Christine Quinn, Scott Stringer... — (L-R) Bill de Blasio, John Liu, Christine Quinn, Scott Stringer Bill Thompson (Ivan Pereira) Credit: (L-R) Bill de Blasio, John Liu, Christine Quinn, Scott Stringer Bill Thompson (Ivan Pereira)

By IVAN PEREIRAJune 12, 2012

Six possible candidates in the 2013 mayoral election faced off for the first time Tuesday.

City Council Speaker Christine Quinn; Public Advocate Bill de Blasio; City Comptroller John Liu; Manhattan Borough president Scott Stringer, former city comptroller; and 2009 mayor candidate Bill Thompson and Manhattan Media CEO Tom Allon, who is the only official candidate so far for the 2013 race, fielded questions during the forum at NYU about improving small businesses that are owned by minority and women.

While all accused Mayor Michael Bloomberg of not doing enough to diversify the city's workforce, they differed on how to solve the problem.

Quinn, Stringer and de Blasio said they support creating a new position that would make sure contracts would go to a diverse group.

Liu and Thompson disagreed, contending it would just create more bureaucracy.

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