The New York City Mayor has reaffirmed his commitment to working with Morris Katz, a leading political consultant.
At a news conference on Monday, the Mayor stated that he will continue to work with Katz, who remains a top advisor. This decision comes as the consultant faces backlash from fellow Democrats following the withdrawal of Senate candidate Graham Platner's campaign.
Platner's campaign was marred by a rape accusation, which he denied, and other controversies, including a trove of deleted Reddit posts and a Nazi-linked tattoo. The consultant and his partner were criticized for not thoroughly vetting Platner before promoting him to party leaders.
The duo paid a relatively small amount, over $6,000, for a three-day vetting job, which is typically a more extensive and costly process that takes weeks to complete.
A letter circulated by the Democratic Socialists of America has urged their allies to avoid working with Katz, citing his role in Platner's campaign as a key contributor to its downfall.
The consultant has denied some of the allegations made against him, including claims that he pitched Platner as a potential presidential contender. However, he has also faced criticism for his past work, including a book he authored on puberty that has been deemed inappropriate for young readers.
The book, aimed at children aged 10-12, includes sections on genital development and masturbation. The consultant later claimed that his comment about using images of his penis was a joke.
The controversy surrounding Katz has led to calls for him to be blacklisted from future political operations. However, the Mayor's office has not commented on the matter.
