Jack Hidary: Ocean Parkway native, former Dice.com CEO wants to be NYC’s next tech mayor

He co-wrote the report that lead Congress to create the “Cash for Clunkers” program, and now the entrepreneur and Brooklyn native wants to be Mayor of New York.

Jack Hidary, 45, is not new to policy in New York City. He also worked as a main proponent to move New York taxicabs to better mileage vehicles. He has been a significant investor and advocate around energy policy, interested in education and growing the tech sector for the benefit of all of New York.

• He started as an entrepreneur in 1995, with his brother. They made Earth Web, a way for Java developers to find each other.
• They later acquired Dice.com and made it into one of the leading tech career sites.
• Now in politics, he’s not running as a Democrat or a Republican, but under the “Jobs and Education” party, allowing him to both bypass the divided and confusing Democratic primary, as well as major endorsements.

Watch Hidary talk to CNN Money in 2010

Hidary, who grew up in Ocean Parkway, says he’s a viable candidate, despite running without major party affiliation, and launched his campaign in July with the backing of $450,000 in initial fundraising, he said.

In Philadelphia, entrepreneurs have begun to think of themselves as potential civic leaders, too. As Forbes writes, even if it comes to nothing, Hidary’s candidacy is a sign:

There’s good news in this candidacy for sure. Watching NY’s Tech community start to think of itself as a political force that can marshal campaign cash, economic issues, and votes is exciting.