How to Pronounce Bill de Blasio

Meaning and Context

Bill de Blasio, born Warren Wilhelm Jr., is an American Democratic Party politician who served as the 109th Mayor of New York City, holding office for two terms from January 1, 2014, to December 31, 2021. His tenure as NYC mayor was defined by a progressive policy agenda, most notably the implementation of universal pre-kindergarten (UPK) across the city, a signature achievement of his administration. De Blasio's mayoralty also focused on issues of income inequality, affordable housing through initiatives like the Mandatory Inclusionary Housing program, and police reform, including the controversial disbanding of the NYPD's plainclothes anti-crime units. Prior to his election in 2013, he served as New York City's Public Advocate and as a member of the New York City Council, representing Brooklyn. His time in Gracie Mansion was marked by a complex relationship with the New York City Police Department, ambitious sustainability goals under the "OneNYC" plan, and a significant, often scrutinized, role in national Democratic politics.

Common Mistakes and Alternative Spellings

The name "Bill de Blasio" presents several common spelling and typographical errors, largely due to its Italian-American origin and the use of a space and lowercase 'd' in "de." The most frequent mistake is merging the "de" and "Blasio" into a single word, resulting in the incorrect "Deblasio." Others may capitalize the 'd' as in "De Blasio," though the correct styling, as used by his office and in most official references, is a lowercase 'd'. Misspellings of "Blasio" itself are also common, with variations like "Blasio," "Blascio," or "Blaiseo." Furthermore, some may mistakenly refer to him by his birth name, Warren Wilhelm, without connecting it to his public political identity. It is also worth noting that during his early political career, he used the name "Warren de Blasio-Wilhelm" before shortening it to the more familiar Bill de Blasio.

Example Sentences

During his 2020 presidential campaign, Bill de Blasio struggled to gain traction beyond his base in New York City.

A key pillar of Bill de Blasio's legacy is the dramatic expansion of free, full-day pre-K for New York City's four-year-olds.

Critics often argued that Bill de Blasio's management style created friction with key allies in the city council and Albany.

The announcement from Gracie Mansion confirmed that Mayor de Blasio would not seek a third term, adhering to the city's term limits.

Following his mayoralty, de Blasio joined several academic and think-tank institutions to focus on urban policy issues.

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