Colin Powell endorses NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s 3rd-term re-election bid

Colin Powell endorses NYC mayor’s re-election bid

NEW YORK — Former U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell has endorsed New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s re-election bid.

Powell offered the endorsement Tuesday during a taping of the “Larry King Live” show on CNN. He calls Bloomberg a great candidate and an “independent guy who is always trying to solve problems.”

Powell is a Republican who was raised in the Bronx. He supported Democratic President Barack Obama.

Bloomberg is a billionaire Republican-turned-independent running for a third term. He says Powell’s nonpartisan leadership is something he’s always worked hard to emulate.

Civil rights activist the Rev. Al Sharpton has endorsed Bloomberg’s leading opponent, Democrat William Thompson Jr.