Mayor Steve Benjamin of Columbia, S.C., said Democratic presidential candidate Mike Bloomberg "is using his unique background to create opportunities for all Americans" Monday at the grand opening of the Bloomberg presidential campaign office in Chattanooga.
Mayor Benjamin is national co-chair of the Bloomberg campaign and was the first African-American person to be elected mayor of Columbia.
“As mayor of New York, Mike helped create a half million jobs and pushed incredible initiatives - everything from reducing incarceration rates to elevating public schools and increasing teacher pay,” Mayor Benjamin said.
“He invested in infrastructure and all the things you need to do to build good strong metropolitan economies and support urban, suburban and rural America.”
Mayor Andy Berke spoke briefly, as did former Chattanooga Mayor Jon Kinsey, who introduced Mayor Benjamin.
Chattanooga City Council members on hand were Chairman Erskine Oglesby, Jerry Mitchell (District 2) and Anthony Byrd (District 8), who wrapped up the program with a call for attendees to volunteer with the campaign.