NEW YORK, NY May 15, 2009 —Mayor Bloomberg is poised to shatter his previous campaign spending record. The latest campaign finance reports show the mayor has spent close to $19 million. That's double what he spent at the same point in his last campaign. The mayor's early bid for a third term is prompting his major rival, Comptroller Bill Thompson, to pick up the tempo of his bid as well. He's expected to pick up an endorsement from Harlem Congressman Charles Rangel tomorrow, after getting the backing of former Mayor David Dinkins earlier this week.

Mayor Bloomberg has endorsements from former Congressman Reverend Floyd Flake and Newark Mayor Cory Booker. Queens Democratic Councilman Tony Avella is also in the running for his party's nomination. The first vote won't be cast until the September primary.