Shunted aside by the Legislature for the state comptroller’s job, Finance Commissioner Martha Stark is now considering running for city comptroller in 2009, The Post has learned.
“She’s thinking about it,” declared Sam Miller, Stark’s spokesman.
Miller said the positive exposure Stark received during the contest for state comptroller “reaffirmed in her mind that she has unique qualifications” to serve in the city post.
“She’s thinking about running for city comptroller, but she hasn’t made a decision. Right now she’s focused on being finance commissioner,” added Miller.
If she ultimately decides to run, Stark would have to step down at Finance.
Stark emerged as one of three finalists to replace former state Comptroller Alan Hevesi, who was forced from office after he admitted assigning a state employee to chauffeur his sick wife.
But the Legislature – angry that none of its members made the cut – ignored demands by Gov. Spitzer that an outsider get the job and voted to install Assemblyman Tom DiNapoli.
Stark has never run for public office and would probably have to raise more than $2 million to be considered a serious contender.
But she has impressed one key person who could be very helpful financially if she decides to go for it.
“She’s a phenomenally capable woman who’s done a great job,” Mayor Bloomberg said this week.
“I’d be sorry to see her leave if she were to get this job because she’d be an awful tough act to replace . . . I think she’d be a great comptroller.”
All three citywide offices are up for grabs in 2009 because of term limits.
Bill Thompson, the current city comptroller, is the early front-runner in the next Democratic mayoral race.