Spitzer Plans Run for NYC Comptroller

Former New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer, who resigned in disgrace five years ago after it became known he was a frequenter of high-priced prostitutes, is throwing his hat back in the ring, The New York Times reports.

Spitzer wants to be New York City's next comptroller, saying he can do more with the office than has been in the past. And he hopes New Yorkers have forgiven him.

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“I’m hopeful there will be forgiveness, I am asking for it,” he told The Times Sunday night.

In recent months, South Carolinians have sent former Republican Gov. Mark Sanford to Congress despite a scandalous affair with an Argentine woman while he was governor. And former Democratic Rep. Anthony Weiner is currently seeking the mayor's office in New York after resigning his House seat over a sexting scandal. Weiner leads or is near the top in voter polls.

Spitzer is getting into the game late. The Democrat must get signatures of 3,750 registered Democratic voters by Thursday to get on the ballot. But The Times predicts he should have no trouble doing so considering his high name recognition in a city with 3 million Democrats.

Spitzer was a Wall Street watchdog in his days as attorney general, and he seeks to make the comptrollers office more activist. The comptroller has power over New York's pension funds and city spending.

“It is ripe for greater and more exciting use of the office’s jurisdiction," Spitzer told The Times.