Thompson Wins Dem Primary, Vance Takes DA

NY gives Dem primary to Thompson

New York City comptroller Bill Thompson will officially take on Mike Bloomberg in the mayoral race this fall, and Robert Morgenthau-backed Cyrus Vance will move into the Manhattan DA's office.

The race for public advocate and city comptroller both ended in runoffs.

The city's Board of Elections reported that more than 4,000 voting machines were set up at 1,300-plus poll sites throughout the five boroughs, reports NY1.

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Results for the mayoral race came in first, with the race going to Bill Thompson, the expected winner. With 99 percent of precincts reporting, Thompson had 70 percent of the vote; underdog Tony Avella had 21 percent of the vote. Avella conceded the race to Thompson at about 10 p.m. and said he would speak with Thompson about a possible endorsement in the "near future."

Thompson was quick to take jabs at Bloomberg in his victory speech.

"After eight years of a mayor who has looked out for the rich and powerful, isn't it time we had a mayor who looked out for the rest of us?" Thompson said. "It's time for a change, New York. Eight years is enough."

The crowd began chanting "Eight is enough. Eight is enough," as Thompson continued to gain momentum by putting down his opponent in the general election.

"I'm running for mayor because in these tough times we need a mayor who's on our side," Thompson said. "As a lifelong New Yorker, I know we can do better."

"Tonight, Mayor Bloomberg. It's time to stop hiding behind your television ads. I have a challenge for you," Thompson added. "Let's debate all across this city -- in each and every borough. I'm not afraid to tell New Yorkers about my version for our city. Are you?"

Mayor Michael Bloomberg wasn't on the ballot, but he wasted no time launching his official campaign with a rally for supporters at 9 p.m. -- just about the time the results of the polls were coming in.

Turnout was expected to be relatively low compared with the presidential race last November; many candidates in the primary were virtually unknown and many New Yorkers weren't aware that it was primary day.

There were primary elections in 32 of the 51 city council districts; most incumbents seeking re-election were expected to win. The primaries are particularly competitive in seven districts in Queens and Brooklyn, however, where incumbents are seeking other offices, reports The New York Times.

Candidates for comptroller, the office responsible for city finances, were neck and neck all night -- and since neither of the two leading candidates received more than 40 percent of the vote, the race is headed for a runoff. With 99 percent of precincts reporting, Liu led the comptroller race with 38 percent of the vote. David Yassky trailed Liu with 30 percent of the vote, Melinda Katz was in third with 20 percent and David Weprin lagged behind with 11 percent.

A runoff is also in store in the race for public advocate. Bill de Blasio posted surprising early poll numbers -- leading opponent Mark Green 33 percent to 31 percent with 99 percent of precincts reporting. Eric Gioia trailed behind with 18 percent of the vote. With neither of the two leading candidates expected to get 40 percent of the vote, the runoff would be held in two weeks on Sept. 29.

Bill de Blasio, who wasn't expected to have such a strong showing, gains a huge boost of momentum from the poll results.

"Are you ready for a runoff?" de Blasio asked supporters at a rally after all the polls came in. "The people have spoken this evening. The people want change and we're going to give it to them in two weeks, aren't we?"

"The public advocate needs to be driven by the highest interest of all New Yorkers," he added. "That's the kind of public advocate I will be."

The Democrat who wins the primary for public advocate is favored to win the general election in November; there is no strong Republican challenger.
    
The public advocate is the City Hall watchdog, and is second in line if something happens to the mayor.

The race for Manhattan district attorney was another highly anticipated one; Cyrus Vance Jr. easily came away with it. For the past 35 years, legendary Robert Morgenthau has prosecuted some of the city's worst crooks and criminals. At 90-years-old, he won't be running for re-election, opening the seat up to democratic candidates, Richard Aborn, Leslie Crocker Snyder and Morgenthau-supported Vance Jr., who ran a close race.

Vance was declared the winner with 44 percent of the vote. Snyder had 30 percent of the vote, followed by Aborn with 26 percent.

With no Republican challenger, Vance is effectively Manhattan's next district attorney.

"The important thing is that he's going to maintain the full strength of the office, which is its people," Morgenthau said of Vance this evening. "He'll provide the leadership that's necessary for them to carry out their duties."

Waving a hand and standing next to his mentor, Vance addressed a fired up crowd that kept screaming his name.

"This victory is not mine; this victory is yours," said Vance amid applause. "We ran a campaign that I am very proud of."

Perhaps the most publicized race has been that for mayor, which has been buzzed about since Michael Bloomberg announced his intentions to extend term limits last year. Thompson was so confident of his victory tonight, that he didn't paid for any TV advertisements.

Even while campaigning on primary day, Thompson was focused on the general election.
    
"We've had eight years of Mike Bloomberg and it's time for a change,'' Thompson told voters at a Queens senior center.

Ever the savvy pol, Bloomberg tried to detract attention from the primary today, launching a new ad and putting out a new slogan -- "Progress, not politics" -- which is seen as a veiled blow against his Democratic challenger.

Bloomberg jumped at the opportunity to official launch his campaign by speaking to supporters this evening. 

He came out flashing his sense of humor -- is Brooklyn in the house? Let me hear you Manhattan?

"We've got a choice. We're not going back. We're going forward," Bloomberg said. "I know you've already heard attacks against us in this campaign and there will be more to come." 

The mayor proceeded to lead a high-powered speech, boasting about his accomplishments in the financial and educational realms. 

"We saved our surpluses instead of squandering them. That's progress," Bloomberg added.

He didn't mention Thompson by name but tried to cast him as a return to politics as usual, someone who comes from a political machine run by party bosses and special interests.
    
Thompson says Bloomberg favors the wealthy over regular people and argues it's time for a change.

Most council races went to the incumbent, but Daniel Dromm beat Helen Sears in Queens, Margaret Chin was declared winner over Alan Gerson in Manhattan, and Fernando Cabrera was narrowly edging out Maria Baez in the Bronx.
    
Voters in Queens went to the polls for a special election to fill an Assembly seat vacated by Anthony Seminerio, who pleaded guilty to a federal corruption charge.
    
Fellow Democrat Mike Miller of Glendale, founder of an organization that serves adults with developmental disabilities, has strong party support against Republican Donna Marie Caltabiano of Woodhaven, who runs a senior center.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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