(CNN) -- New York City has seen a jarring last-minute twist in the race for mayor, in which the current mayor, Michael Bloomberg, may have given a crucial boost to the person he would probably least like to see succeed him in City Hall. Bill de Blasio, who surged into the lead among the Democrats running for mayor, has been campaigning for months as a progressive bent on governing in a way that alters or reverses many of Bloomberg's cherished policies -- starting with de Blasio's proposal to raise taxes on households earning $500,000 or more per year. De Blasio, who is married to a black woman, has also made a series of campaign ads that include his biracial teenage children.
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Errol Louis: In interview NY Mayor Bloomberg called de Blasio's campaign "racist"
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His comment that de Blasio using mixed-race family in campaign backfired, Louis says
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He says de Blasio campaigns to upend many Bloomberg policies, mayor likely chafing at this
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Louis: If de Blasio wins primary, it will signal Bloomberg's 12-year tenure truly coming to close
In fact, within hours of publication of the mayor's remarks, @placeholder was using the dust-up as part of a fund-raising appeal to supporters.