Disgraced former congressman Anthony Weiner wants another chance in politics, people close to him say, and his refusal to publicly address the rumors is fueling speculation he may attempt a comeback, according to multiple reports.
Widely considered a mayoral frontrunner until he resigned amid a sexting scandal last year, Weiner retains a $4.5 million war chest and is weighing a run for citywide office before the public match expires on his campaign funds in 2013, according to The New York Post.
Asked directly by The New York Times about his political ambitions Sunday, Weiner refused to comment.
The Post reports the 47-year-old Democrat is interested in running for public advocate or mayor. Political experts tell the paper the public advocate position would help redeem his character and set him up for a 2017 mayoral run.
Weiner's wife, Huma Abedin, appears to be pushing him toward public redemption. Sources close to the longtime Hillary Rodham Clinton aide tell the Post Abedin has been urging Weiner to give a one-time, tell-all interview to close the book on the scandal as former president Bill Clinton did during the Monica Lewinsky scandal.
Weiner admitted on June 6, 2011, to having numerous sexual relationships online while married, but at the time vowed to stay in office.
He made the admission after days of lying to the media about a misfired Twitter photo of his groin, claiming his account was hacked.
Weiner resigned ten days later, saying he could not continue in office amid the intense controversy. His wife did not attend the announcement, but they stayed together. Abedin gave birth to a baby boy in December.
Weiner filed his campaign report Friday along with the other mayoral hopefuls. His campaign spent about $40,000 this period on expenses including rent, shredding and phone bills. It raised no money.
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