NORFOLK, Va. — Michael Bloomberg's presidential run wasn't something Norfolk Mayor Kenny Alexander wanted to talk about initially while celebrating a new five-year agreement between the city of Norfolk and Carnival Cruise Line.
More than a hundred people gathered at the Half Moone Cruise Center for the big announcement and there was no time to discuss politics.
A 13News Now email to Alexander's office a couple of days earlier requesting an interview about his endorsement of Bloomberg went unanswered.
But when asked why he was supporting the former New York City mayor, Alexander finally opened up.
"He is a businessman. He's helped to reduce crime in New York. His policies on gun violence. His policies on climate change," Alexander said.
Alexander said Bloomberg is the only one in the field of Democratic candidates who has created thousands of jobs and he feels he's been champion for the growth of small and minority businesses.
But on two issues that have given many African-Americans pause on whether to support the 12-year mayor, Alexander simply said Bloomberg "has apologized."
Bloomberg's expansion of the stop-and-frisk policy as mayor unfairly targeted hundreds of innocent African-Americans, as police officers were given the green light to stop people on the street and search them if they thought they could be involved in a crime.
Back in November, Bloomberg apologized for his role in promoting the policy.
He is also being criticized for comments he made in 2008 blaming the financial crisis in part on the elimination of the discriminatory practice of redlining.
Alexander's support comes at a time when Norfolk's planned redevelopment of the St. Paul's community is drawing criticism from residents who say the move will disadvantage black residents.
The issues came up in Wednesday night's primary debate in Las Vegas. Bloomberg's performance is being described by political observers as "rocky," "spotty," and "off-balanced."
Alexander is much more forgiving.
"I think his performance was substance. It was not based on style," he said.