Former Gov. Eliot Spitzer plans run for New York City comptroller

March 12, 2008: In this file photo, former New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer is seen announcing his resignation. (AP)

It's official: Client 9 is planning a political comeback.

Former New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer, who stepped down in 2008 over a prostitution scandal, is planning a return to political life with a run for New York City comptroller.

In an interview with The New York Times on Sunday, Spitzer said he hoped city voters would give him a chance.

"I'm hopeful there will be forgiveness, I am asking for it," the Democrat said.

Spitzer elaborated on his desire to run later Sunday to the New York Post.

"I’m running because having been attorney general and governor and assistant district attorney and having spent much of my career in public service, I cherish that," Spitzer told the Post. “I want to do to the comptroller’s office what I did to the AG’s office: re-energize it, re-envision it, and hopefully the public will give me that opportunity.

"I have acknowledged the wrongdoing and have moved on."

Spitzer said he was planning to start collecting the signatures he needs on Monday. Candidates for citywide offices like comptroller have to have 3,750 signatures from registered voters in their party by Thursday.

Current Comptroller John Liu is expected to run for mayor.

Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer has been the most prominent among the contenders to become New York City's next fiscal chief. He's raised more than $3.5 million and spent about $566,000, city campaign finance records show, while his opponents have yet to report any fund-raising or spending.

One of Spitzer's opponents will be Libertarian candidate Kristin Davis, a former madam who once arranged trysts with prostitutes for the married Spitzer, who was referred to as "Client 9" in an affidavit filed in federal court.

Spitzer's other opponents include Republican John Burnett, who has worked on Wall Street in various finance capacities and just recently declared his candidacy; and Green Party candidate Juila Willebrand, a former teacher.

Spitzer says he would pay for a campaign out of his own pocket and not take part in the city's financing system.

Click here for the story from the New York Post

The Associated Press contributed to this report.