New York ( CNN ) -- New Yorkers are sweating-out a steamy summer thinking about sex . A pair of rogue politicians running for re-election and redemption leave them no choice . `` People have forgiveness in their hearts , '' said Eliot Spitzer , a former crime-fighting prosecutor and then governor who resigned in 2008 after revelations that he frequented prostitutes . Spitzer , who briefly joined us at CNN as a TV host during his exile from elected politics , began his comeback campaign this week with a surprise decision to run for comptroller of New York City . The job would essentially make him the Big Apple 's accountant -- a huge demotion from his days running the entire state . He 's sharing the city 's summer-of-scandal spotlight with Anthony Weiner , a former Washington lawmaker who resigned from the House of Representatives in 2011 after acknowledging he sent sexually explicit photographs to several women . Weiner is running for mayor and would have to work closely with Spitzer if both men win . Could they ? Both are Democrats -- a party that typically does well in New York -- and would first have to face a September vote for their party 's nomination , even before the municipal election in November . Zombie politicians find new life after disgrace . Weiner represented a New York district in Congress and ran a credible campaign for mayor of the city back in 2005 . Media accounts suggest he spent months planning this year 's campaign . Polls make him the frontrunner among Democrats . By contrast , Spitzer started late and had a rough first week simply trying to collect enough signatures to get a place on the ballot . He also faced a particularly awkward opponent for the comptroller 's office : an ex-madam who says she actually supplied Spitzer with women . Kristin Davis has no proof of that allegation but she did spend several months behind bars because of her business . Spitzer has to hope that it 's something voters can overlook come September . Is the road to redemption getting shorter ? `` Ten minutes in politics is 50 years in anything else , '' said Hank Sheinkopf , a Democratic strategist who has worked with Spitzer in the past . `` And anything can happen , all times , any time , forever . '' The prospect of the disgraced duo running 'the city that never sleeps ' has n't escaped the attention of America 's comedians . In the words of late night TV host Conan O'Brien , `` New York is changing its name to the city that never sleeps with its wife . '' Opinion : New York 's sex scandal candidates .
Scandal tainted politicians look for redemption at the ballot box . Comment: Former Congressman Anthony Weiner wants to be city mayor . Spitzer was ousted for using prostitutes ; Weiner for sending sexual photos .