NYC mayor defends fellow billionaire Whitman’s spending in Calif. race that broke his record

NY mayor defends Whitman’s spending in Calif. race

NEW YORK — New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is defending former eBay executive Meg Whitman’s record-breaking spending in the California gubernatorial race.

Whitman’s $119 million in personal contributions to her campaign broke Bloomberg’s record of personal spending on a race.

The billionaire mayor spent $109 million of his own money on his re-election to a third term last year. The Republican-turned-independent said Thursday Whitman’s spending record shows she must care about California and believes she can improve it.

Bloomberg points out other candidates spend the public’s money. He jokes the billionaire Whitman probably didn’t break his record per capita.

Whitman is a Republican bidding to defeat Democratic Attorney General Jerry Brown. She says contributions from her personal fortune mean she won’t be beholden to special interests if she wins.