Anthony Weiner: "I’m gonna be the next mayor" of New York

The former Congressman is in fourth place in the polls, but he's convinced he'll win the election

Published September 8, 2013 10:11PM (EDT)

Former Congressman Anthony Weiner, better known these days as Carlos Danger, is convinced that he will win the bid for New York's mayor despite polls placing him in fourth place at just 7 percent. "I’m convinced that I’m gonna be the next mayor of this city," he told Savannah Guthrie in an exclusive interview that aired on Sunday's "Meet the Press."

Weiner assured Guthrie that he no longer sends sexually explicit text messages to strangers -- a habit that led him to resign from Congress in 2011 and one which he said he'd recovered from post-resignation, until it was revealed that he lied about that. Still, he insists now that, "No, I think that with the help of my wife, with help of professionals that I've got it behind me."

But Weiner skirted questions regarding his wife, Huma Abedin, who had supported him through his supposed rehabilitation and helped announce his mayoral candidacy.

"Will [Huma] be by your side on Election night?" asked Guthrie.

"I don't know," he said.

Weiner will appear on the "Today" show on Monday morning for a second interview, one day before the primary election.

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By Prachi Gupta

Prachi Gupta is an Assistant News Editor for Salon, focusing on pop culture. Follow her on Twitter at @prachigu or email her at pgupta@salon.com.

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Anthony Weiner Carlos Danger Huma Abedin New York City New York City Mayoral Race Sexting Video