Runner-up urged to leave NYC race
Democrats rally behind de Blasio, but he may not have enough votes to avoid runoff
New York — Calls for runner-up Bill Thompson to bow out of the New York Democratic mayoral race grew louder Thursday, as several of his prominent supporters switched allegiances to frontrunner Bill de Blasio in hopes of avoiding a runoff that could weaken the winner for the general election.
The city’s Democratic Party, desperate to elect its first mayor since 1989, was unable to rally officially around de Blasio, the city’s public advocate, who finished Tuesday’s primary with just above 40 percent of the votes. That’s the threshold that would have clinched his party’s nomination, but election officials said it would be at least Monday before all votes, including absentee ballots, were counted.
If de Blasio finishes with less than 40 percent of the vote total, he would face an Oct. 1 runoff against Thompson.
As some Democratic leaders consider what to do, others publicly proclaimed that they were abandoning him.
“In an election year with so many tough decisions on crucial issues, we must begin a new chapter today by uniting behind our Democratic nominee for New York City’s next mayor,” announced Assemblyman Walter Mosley, a former Thompson endorser. “I am proud to support Public Advocate Bill de Blasio.”
By Thursday afternoon, five other state lawmakers and three city councilmen also had announced they were leaving for Thompson for de Blasio. They were joined by two dozen politicians and several powerful organizations, including unions, who had backed other mayoral hopefuls who lost in the primary.
De Blasio held a raucous rally on the steps of Brooklyn borough hall to welcome new supporters.
“To all of those who join us today, I say, I am thrilled to have the reinforcements,” he said.
Thompson, an ex- comptroller and the Democrats’ 2009 nominee who narrowly lost to incumbent Michael Bloomberg, stayed out of the public eye Thursday. But he was to meet with several powerful allies, including U.S. Reps. Charles Rangel and Gregory Meeks, to discuss the situation.
Thompson wants the vote count to go forward, campaign spokesman John Collins said.
“Our focus is to make sure that every voice is heard and every vote counted,” Collins said.
If Thompson were to bow out by midnight tonight, his name would not appear on the ballot for the runoff even if the final count gave de Blasio less than 40 percent of the vote, according to the city Board of Election.
Regardless, a citywide runoff will be held for the office of public advocate.