In a significant blow to New York City mayoral candidate Anthony Weiner, Danny Kedem — Weiner’s campaign manager — quit on Saturday, The New York Times reported.

Kedem, who gained recognition by guiding New Haven Mayor John Destefano to his 10th term in office, quit after news broke of Weiner’s continued lewd online conduct just two years after his resignation from Congress. Weiner confirmed the departure in a hastily-convened press conference on Sunday morning.

“Danny has left the campaign. He did a remarkable job,” Mr. Weiner said in the press conference.

As late as several weeks ago, Kedem expressed few doubts about working for the mayoral candidate. During his tenure, he sent many emails
asking for volunteer assistance and monetary contributions.

Under his leadership, Weiner shot up in the polls, rising from his entrance as a long-shot candidate to a frontrunner in the race. A Quinnipiac poll of likely Democratic voters, conducted just days before news of Weiner’s continuing online relationships was revealed, placed Weiner six points ahead of his primary Democratic rival, Christine Quinn, with 26 percent supporting his candidacy.

Still, Kedem’s departure suggests problems ahead for the embattled candidate, whom many – including The New York Times, Wall Street Journal and New York Daily News editorial boards – have called on him to exit the race.