ROME (AP) The southern Italian town of Bill de Blasio's maternal grandfather is cheering his landslide victory in New York City's mayoral election and inviting him to receive honorary citizenship in a ceremony.
Carmine Valentino, mayor of Sant'Agata de' Goti, says he hopes he'll see de Blasio soon in the Apennine mountain town of some 11,000. The New York mayor-elect traces his grandfather's roots to the town, which is about 35 kilometers (22 miles) northeast of Naples.
Townspeople early Wednesday followed the election coverage from New York on a big TV screen and popped open a bottle of sparkling wine to celebrate. American flags studded the town, and de Blasio campaign banners hung from balconies and were plastered on storefronts.
