Washington(CNN) Chirlane McCray, wife of New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, said Thursday that Bernie Sanders is "desperate" in his pursuit of the Democratic presidential nomination and that will likely be on display at CNN's debate in Brooklyn.
"I think the tone will be respectful but I think that Bernie is getting desperate, so I expect that we'll hear the volume be pumped up a little bit," she told CNN's Alisyn Camerota on "New Day."
McCray, who like her husband, is supporting Democratic presidential front-runner Hillary Clinton, dismissed the idea that there is an enthusiasm gap between the Vermont senator and the former secretary of state.
"I don't think there's an enthusiasm gap. I'm really happy to see this enthusiasm and all the support from all those people," she said. "Hillary has a commanding lead. She has more states, more votes and she's doing very well."
"She's got a bold vision and people are really ready to support her," McCray added.
She also had sharp words for Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz, who has frequently been at odds with de Blasio. The senator criticized de Blasio's support for teachers' unions Wednesday at a CNN town hall as an embodiment of the worst of "New York values."
"I just think Ted Cruz is awfully confused. He thinks he's running against Bill de Blasio, mayor of New York City," McCray said. "He doesn't even know who he's running against."
"New Yorkers have already told Ted Cruz to go home," McCray added. "Enough said."