Mayor De Blasio Will Skip Puerto Rican Day Parade So He Can Campaign In Iowa

De Blasio marching at the parade in 2014

There’s no record of any NYC mayor ever missing the Puerto Rican Day Parade, according to the NY Post. But that's no stumbling block for our trailblazing CEO/Mayor Bill de Blasio, who has announced that he will skip the 62nd annual Manhattan parade on Sunday in order to better focus his attention on what some may call a futile and myopic presidential campaign.

"When you’re running for president of United States this is always a challenge, to balance the schedules," he said by way of explanation during his weekly interview on Brian Lehrer this morning. Instead of going to the parade, he'll be joining other White House hopefuls at the Iowa Democratic Party’s quadrennial "Hall of Fame" induction ceremony this Sunday.

"What’s happening Sunday is one of the biggest Democratic party events of the year in Iowa," he added. "Iowa is obviously the first election of the season for Democratic presidential candidates…And it [is] important to be there, but my respect, my commitment, to the Puerto Rican community is very, very well known in the community, and it will continue deeply."

Not everyone in the community agrees: "If he chooses to be in Iowa, I don’t think he would be greatly missed by Puerto Ricans or the majority of New Yorkers, because what do we need him here for?" Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., who is of Puerto Rican descent, told the Post. "Even when he’s here, what does he do that is of tremendous help? Like, what does his presence add to all of the issues we have? Zero. So if he chooses to go to Iowa, God bless him."

Gov. Andrew Cuomo also had something to say, per the Post:

Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who will be marching Sunday, was flabbergasted at the news. “I am without thought. My mind goes blank,” said Cuomo, his eyes wide with disbelief, during an unrelated news conference in The Bronx Thursday.

De Blasio defended himself by saying his administration is "working on behalf of the Puerto Rican people every single day," citing a “huge reception” he hosted at Gracie Mansion last night:

The 62nd Annual Puerto Rican Day Parade kicks off at 11 a.m. on Sunday in Midtown, and will proceed up Fifth Avenue from 43rd Street to 79th Street. Actor/singer Ricky Martin will serve as grand marshal.

The non-profit National Puerto Rican Day Parade organization released a statement calling the mayor "a strong friend, supporter, and advocate for Puerto Rico and the nearly one million Puerto Ricans in New York City," adding, "We will miss him on the parade route this year, but we wish him well in his trip, and we thank him and his administration for their tireless work, support and solidarity with Puerto Rico and also this Parade, one of the largest in the world."