NEW YORK — A person familiar with the plans of Bill de Blasio says New York City’s mayor is planning to endorse Hillary Rodham Clinton for president.

The person told The Associated Press on Monday the endorsement would likely come before a December presidential forum in Iowa organized by de Blasio. The person was not authorized to speak publicly about the matter before the announcement and spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity.

De Blasio, a Democrat, managed Clinton’s 2000 Senate campaign and has close ties to the former secretary of state and her husband, ex-President Bill Clinton.

The mayor initially refused to endorse Clinton, saying he needed to hear more detailed policies. That delay drew criticism from some Democrats.

A spokesman for Clinton says the candidate’s and mayor’s staffs have held discussions about the endorsement.