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Disgraced ex-Gov. Eliot Spitzer re-enters politics in NYC comptroller bid

Five years since he resigned as New York's governor amid a prostitution scandal, Eliot Spitzer announced he hopes to jump back into the political arena in a bid to be New York City comptroller.

Spitzer, a Democrat who has spent the past few years as a television news host and commentator, revealed in a phone interview with The New York Times Sunday he plans on collecting the 3,750 signatures he needs by Thursday to make it on to the ballot. He later confirmed the news on Twitter.

"I'm hopeful there will be forgiveness, I am asking for it," the Spitzer told the Times.

The former governor, 54, isn't the only one seeking a political comeback in the Big Apple. Anthony Weiner, a Democrat who resigned from Congress in 2011 after lying about sending lewd social media messages, is running for mayor.

Spitzer resigned as governor in March 2008 after admitting he patronized high-end prostitutes while in office. Since then, he briefly worked as the host of a political talk show on CNN. He also hosted "Viewpoint" on Current TV and has made appearances on local news channel NY1.

Before he was governor, Spitzer made a name for himself as an aggressive state attorney general that cracked down on Wall Street.

Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer is considered the most prominent among contenders vying to run the city's fiscal affairs. According to the Associated Press, he's raised more than $3.5 million and spent $566,000.

In a final ironic twist, Spitzer will be running against the former madam accused of supplying him with call girls. Kristen Davis, who ran unsuccessfully for governor in 2010 as a protest candidate, noted on Twitter she is be running in the race for city comptroller.

Other candidates for comptroller are Republican John Burnett, who has worked in finance; and Green Party candidate Juila Willebrand, a former teacher.

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