New York City mayoral candidate Christine Quinn has found something more important than going to class — her campaign.
In an email sent to all of Quinn’s past and present interns, campaign staffer Ross Adair promised students a get-out-of-class-free pass and crucial letters of recommendation to students who ditched school the day of the Democratic primary to lend a hand on Quinn’s big day.
“Thinking about election day: ALL INTERNS WHO PARTICIPATE IN ELECTION DAY WILL RECEIVE BOTH A LETTER EXCUSING THEM FROM CLASS IN ADDITION TO A LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION FROM THE CAMPAIGN AND CHRIS,” Adair wrote in the email blast.
While Adair said that he was “pretty sure” professors would understand the absences, he made no mention in the emails of actually asking professors for their permission. He did say, however, that skipping out on lectures would ultimately be more beneficial for the interns in the long run.
“If you want me to be real for a second, a letter coming from the next mayor of New York City saying that you helped her on election day is something you can definitely put on your resume or application, and I’m pretty sure your teacher will be ok with you missing Tuesday, or even Monday and Tuesday,” he said.
Quinn’s campaign spokesperson Mike Morey told the New York Post he “couldn’t think of anything better” for students to do on Election Day than “get some hands-on experience in a major political campaign.”
“We have thousands of students who have been working hard all summer long to help elect Chris Quinn Mayor of New York,” he said. “If their professors are willing to give them an excused absence to work on a political campaign on Election Day, we will certainly provide a note to their teachers to prove they did work that day.”
If elected mayor, Quinn promises to improve students’ performance by extending the school day to 6 p.m., according to her campaign website. She plans to start by “targeting schools” with the highest percentage of students who qualify for free or reduced school lunches.
Quinn has slipped into third place among the Democrats vying to run Gotham City next, according to an amNewYork-News poll released Thursday. She’s trailing frontrunners Bill de Blasio and Bill Thompson.
Christine Quinn for Mayor did not return Red Alert Politics’ request for comment.
