New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio Bill de BlasioOVERNIGHT ENERGY: California seeks to sell only electric cars by 2035 | EPA threatens to close New York City office after Trump threats to 'anarchist' cities | House energy package sparks criticism from left and right EPA threatens to close New York City office after Trump threats to 'anarchist' cities New Year's Eve in Times Square to be largely virtual amid pandemic MORE (D) hit former Vice President Joe Biden Joe BidenPelosi slams Trump executive order on pre-existing conditions: It 'isn't worth the paper it's signed on' Hillicon Valley: Subpoenas for Facebook, Google and Twitter on the cards | Wray rebuffs mail-in voting conspiracies | Reps. raise mass surveillance concerns Fox News poll: Biden ahead of Trump in Nevada, Pennsylvania and Ohio MORE and Sen. Kamala Harris Kamala HarrisHundreds of lawyers from nation's oldest African American sorority join effort to fight voter suppression Biden picks up endorsement from progressive climate group 350 Action 3 reasons why Biden is misreading the politics of court packing MORE (D-Calif.) during his opening statement at Wednesday's Democratic presidential primary debate, contrasting himself with the two front-runners on stage.

"There are good people on this stage, but there are real differences," de Blasio said in Detroit.

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"Joe Biden told wealthy donors that nothing with fundamentally change if he were president," he added. "Kamala Harris said she's not trying to restructure society. Well, I am."

De Blasio, who entered the race in May, has struggled to make headway in the polls and fundraising amid the crowded Democratic field.

The mayor presented himself as a progressive leader and appeared to be drawing a contrast between himself and Harris and Biden, painting them as more moderate.

He also appeared to be taking a page out of Harris's playbook from the first Democratic debates last month, when she confronted Biden on his civil rights record.

Harris's move on the second night of the first debates paid off for her in the polls and fundraising, pushing her into the primary field's top tier.