NEW YORK, NY July 03, 2009 —More than four hundred supporters of the Working Families Party packed a mid-town labor hall to hear from three major candidates for Mayor, including the incumbent. WNYC's Bob Hennelly was there.

REPORTER: It was a real coup for the third party that describes itself as progressive and pro-labor to get Mayor Michael Blooomberg to attend the forum, where he was asked challenging questions. Bloomberg is running on the GOP and Independence lines this Fall, and he drew boos and hisses when he dismissed the notion that his record campaign spending was somehow undemocratic.

Both of the Democrats running for mayor, Comptroller Bill Thompson and Councilman Tony Avella, were cheered several times with enthusiastic applause when they pledged to raise taxes on wealthier New Yorkers and push for more affordable housing.

The Executive Council of the Working Families Party says it will make an endorsement next week. For WNYC I am Bob Hennelly.