The mayoral primary is still about two months away, but John A. Catsimatidis, the billionaire grocer who is running as a Republican, has already produced three television advertisements about his candidacy. All of them have been biographical in nature. The latest, a 30-second spot that began being broadcast last week, seeks to highlight his long ties to New York City, using testimonials in which a series of supporters praise him with varying levels of specificity.
Most of the assertions in the spot are prosaic. Mr. Catsimatidis is indeed a real person, and his businesses have created jobs for New Yorkers.
As mayor, Mr. Catsimatidis would not have the unilateral power to stop fare increases. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is governed by a board that has 17 voting members, and only 4 of them are nominated at the recommendation of the mayor.
Polls have shown that many Republican voters still have not formed opinions about their party's candidates for mayor. Mr. Catsimatidis's advertisement continues his effort to introduce himself to voters as a committed, patriotic, caring New Yorker - not an aloof billionaire. The specifics about what he would do as mayor will have to wait.
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