New appointment signals role of de Blasio's wife at City Hall

Mayor Bill de Blasio hinted at the political influence his wife Chirlane McCray will have at City Hall by appointing a seasoned civil rights activist as her chief of staff Monday.

Rachel Noerdlinger, executive vice president of communications for the Rev. Al Sharpton, will be chief of staff to the first lady, the mayor announced at Sharpton’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day public policy forum in Harlem.

“I’m thrilled that Rachel’s going to join us,” de Blasio told reporters afterward. “Over time we’re going to have more announcements about specific areas that Chirlane is going to focus on, but today we simply wanted to make clear that she’s bringing in a great chief of staff to help her.”

McCray will not receive a salary as first lady and details of her office haven’t been determined, the mayor’s office said.