2013 New York City mayoral election

An election for the mayor of New York City occurred on November 5, 2013, along with elections for comptroller, public advocate, borough president, and members of the New York City Council. The incumbent mayor, Michael Bloomberg, a Republican-turned-Independent, was term-limited and thus unable to seek re-election to a fourth term in office.
Primary elections were held on September 10, 2013. The Republican nominee was former Metropolitan Transportation Authority Chairman Joe Lhota. New York City Public Advocate Bill de Blasio was the Democratic nominee. De Blasio was elected mayor with 73.15% of the vote, becoming the first Democrat to win a mayoral election in the city since 1989. Democrats flipped back the boroughs of Manhattan and Queens.

Background

Republican and Republican-endorsed candidates had won five successive mayoral elections in New York City. Republican Rudy Giuliani was elected in 1993 and re-elected in 1997. Republican Michael Bloomberg was then elected in 2001 and re-elected in 2005. He left the Republican Party in 2007, and successfully persuaded the city council to extend the city's term limits law so that he could run for a third term. He was re-elected as an Independent on the Republican and Independence/Jobs & Education ballot lines in 2009. The term limits law was subsequently changed by a referendum in 2010, reverting the limit to two terms.

Democratic primary

As the campaign started, early polling showed City Council Speaker Christine Quinn as the frontrunner. However, she was hampered by running what was widely viewed as a poor campaign, and by her connections to incumbent mayor Bloomberg. As Quinn declined in the polls, former U.S. Representative Anthony Weiner became the new frontrunner, helped by his popularity with women voters. However, Weiner's campaign collapsed after it was revealed that he had continued to engage in sexting after he had resigned from Congress due to a previous sexting scandal. After this development, New York City Public Advocate Bill de Blasio surged in the polls, helped by several ads featuring de Blasio's interracial family, especially his son Dante, and by a campaign focusing on inequality, with de Blasio frequently referencing the novel A Tale of Two Cities. A week prior to the election, de Blasio was considered the frontrunner, and his campaign was given a boost when Mayor Bloomberg described it as "racist," outraging Democratic voters and causing them to rally around de Blasio's campaign.

Candidates

Polling

Runoff

Poll source	Date administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Bill de Blasio	Bill Thompson	Other	Undecided
PPP	September 7–8, 2013	683	± 3.8%	53%	33%	—	14%
Marist	September 3–6, 2013	936	± 3.2%	50%	38%	—	12%
Quinnipiac	Aug. 28 – Sep 1, 2013	750	± 3.6%	56%	36%	2%	5%
Quinnipiac	August 22–27, 2013	602	± 4%	52%	36%	—	11%
Marist	August 12–14, 2013	355	± 5.2%	44%	36%	—	20%
Quinnipiac	August 7–12, 2013	579	± 4.1%	50%	41%	—	9%

Poll source	Date administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Bill de Blasio	Christine Quinn	Other	Undecided
PPP	September 7–8, 2013	683	± 3.8%	67%	21%	—	12%
Marist	September 3–6, 2013	936	± 3.2%	56%	34%	—	10%
Quinnipiac	August 28 – September 1, 2013	750	± 3.6%	66%	25%	4%	5%
Quinnipiac	August 22–27, 2013	602	± 4%	59%	30%	—	11%
Marist	August 12–14, 2013	355	± 5.2%	44%	42%	—	14%
Quinnipiac	August 7–12, 2013	579	± 4.1%	54%	38%	—	8%
Marist	May 22–24, 2013	492	± 4.4%	30%	48%	—	22%

Poll source	Date administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Bill de Blasio	Anthony Weiner	Other	Undecided
Quinnipiac	August 7–12, 2013	579	± 4.1%	72%	22%	—	6%

Poll source	Date administered	Sample size	Margin of error	John Liu	Christine Quinn	Other	Undecided
Marist	May 22–24, 2013	492	± 4.4%	25%	53%	—	22%

Poll source	Date administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Christine Quinn	Bill Thompson	Other	Undecided
Quinnipiac	August 28 – September 1, 2013	750	± 3.6%	33%	59%	3%	5%
Quinnipiac	August 22–27, 2013	602	± 4%	33%	57%	—	11%
Marist	August 12–14, 2013	355	± 5.2%	44%	43%	—	12%
Quinnipiac	August 7–12, 2013	579	± 4.1%	41%	51%	—	9%
Quinnipiac	July 24–28, 2013	446	± 4.6%	40%	50%	—	9%
Quinnipiac	July 18–23, 2013	507	± 4.4%	42%	51%	—	7%
Marist	May 22–24, 2013	492	± 4.4%	44%	34%	—	22%

Poll source	Date administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Christine Quinn	Anthony Weiner	Other	Undecided
Quinnipiac	August 7–12, 2013	579	± 4.1%	60%	31%	—	10%
Quinnipiac	July 24–28, 2013	446	± 4.6%	60%	33%	—	7%
Quinnipiac	July 18–23, 2013	507	± 4.4%	46%	44%	—	9%
Marist	May 22–24, 2013	492	± 4.4%	48%	33%	—	18%

Poll source	Date administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Bill Thompson	Anthony Weiner	Other	Undecided
Quinnipiac	August 7–12, 2013	579	± 4.1%	76%	20%	—	5%
Quinnipiac	July 24–28, 2013	446	± 4.6%	66%	28%	—	6%
Quinnipiac	July 18–23, 2013	507	± 4.4%	52%	41%	—	8%

Debates

A debate was televised live on WABC on August 13.

Results

2013 Democratic primary	Manhattan	The Bronx	Brooklyn	Queens	Staten Island	Total	%
Bill de Blasio	81,197	36,896	104,703	52,190	7,358	282,344	40.81%
Bill de Blasio	40.91%	38.12%	46.36%	34.96%	34.33%	282,344	40.81%
Bill Thompson	42,720	31,617	61,471	38,162	6,871	180,841	26.14%
Bill Thompson	21.53%	32.67%	27.22%	25.56%	32.06%	180,841	26.14%
Christine Quinn	52,102	10,392	23,007	19,847	3,545	108,893	15.74%
Christine Quinn	26.25%	10.74%	10.19%	13.29%	16.54%	108,893	15.74%
John Liu	10,191	4,753	13,927	16,977	1,438	47,286	6.84%
John Liu	5.14%	4.91%	6.17%	11.37%	6.71%	47,286	6.84%
Anthony Weiner	6,858	5,726	10,950	9,438	1,220	34,192	4.94%
Anthony Weiner	3.46%	5.92%	4.85%	6.32%	5.69%	34,192	4.94%
Erick Salgado	2,296	3,855	5,793	3,735	235	15,914	2.30%
Erick Salgado	1.16%	3.98%	2.57%	2.50%	1.10%	15,914	2.30%
Randy Credico	1,588	2,301	2,351	5,129	161	11,530	1.67%
Randy Credico	0.80%	2.38%	1.04%	3.44%	0.75%	11,530	1.67%
Sal Albanese	821	581	2,346	1,648	447	5,843	0.84%
Sal Albanese	0.41%	0.60%	1.04%	1.10%	2.09%	5,843	0.84%
Neil Grimaldi	634	640	1,108	2,157	138	4,677	0.68%
Neil Grimaldi	0.32%	0.66%	0.49%	1.44%	0.64%	4,677	0.68%
all write-in votes	50	18	172	21	20	281	0.04%
all write-in votes	0.03%	0.02%	0.08%	0.01%	0.09%	281	0.04%
TOTAL	198,457	96,779	225,828	149,304	21,443	691,801
TURNOUT	29.83%	19.30%	23.96%	21.58%	17.71%	23.67%

Republican primary

Candidates

Declared

John Catsimatidis, businessman, owner of companies including the Red Apple Group, the Gristedes supermarket chain and the United Refining Company
Joe Lhota, former chairman of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority
George T. McDonald, founder of The Doe Fund

Withdrew

Tom Allon, CEO of Manhattan Media and former New York City public school teacher
Adolfo Carrión Jr., former director of the White House Office of Urban Affairs and former Borough President of The Bronx
Malcolm Smith, state senator, former [Lieutenant Governor of New York|lieutenant Governor of New York|governor of New York] and former Majority Leader of the New York State Senate

Declined

A. R. Bernard, pastor
Dan Donovan, Staten Island District Attorney
Rudy Giuliani, former mayor of New York City
Kelsey Grammer, actor
Richard Grasso, former chairman of the New York Stock Exchange
Raymond Kelly, Commissioner of the New York City Police Department
Richard Parsons, chairman of Citigroup
Edward Skyler, executive at Citigroup and former deputy mayor for operations
Diana Taylor, former New York State Banking Department superintendent and partner of Mayor Bloomberg

Bribery scandal

On April 2, 2013, federal law enforcement officers arrested numerous New York City-area politicians. These included Democratic state senator Malcolm Smith and Republican city councilman Dan Halloran, who were charged with trying to bribe various Republican political leaders so as to get Smith onto the ballot as a Republican. The Mayor of Spring Valley and local Republican party leaders were also arrested.

Results

2013 Republican primary	Manhattan	The Bronx	Brooklyn	Queens	Staten Island	Total	%
Joe Lhota	9,211	1,860	6,995	8,758	5,412	32,236	52.75%
Joe Lhota	70.49%	52.87%	47.59%	51.01%	42.76%	32,236	52.75%
John Catsimatidis	3,139	1,281	6,723	6,945	6,776	24,864	40.69%
John Catsimatidis	24.02%	36.41%	45.73%	40.45%	53.53%	24,864	40.69%
George McDonald	683	369	940	1,456	451	3,899	6.38%
George McDonald	5.23%	10.49%	6.39%	8.48%	3.56%	3,899	6.38%
all write-in votes	34	8	42	9	19	112	0.18%
all write-in votes	0.26%	0.23%	0.29%	0.05%	0.15%	112	0.18%
T O T A L	13,067	3,518	14,700	17,168	12,658	61,111
TURNOUT	13.65%	8.78%	12.48%	13.84%	16.42%	13.44%

Major third parties

Besides the Democratic and Republican parties, the Conservative, Green, Independence and Working Families parties are qualified New York parties. These parties have automatic ballot access.

Conservative

Nominee

Joe Lhota, former chairman of the MTA

Unsuccessful

George McDonald, founder of The Doe Fund
Erick Salgado, Pastor of the Church of Iglesia Jovenes Cristianos

Green

Nominee

Anthony Gronowicz, activist, professor and nominee for Mayor in 2005

Independence

Nominee

Adolfo Carrión Jr., former director of the White House Office of Urban Affairs and former Borough President of The Bronx

Working Families

Nominee

Bill de Blasio, New York City Public Advocate

Unsuccessful

John Liu, New York City Comptroller
Christine Quinn, Speaker of the New York City Council

Minor third parties

Any candidate not among the six qualified New York parties must petition their way onto the ballot; they do not face primary elections.

Affordable Tomorrow

Nominee

Joseph Melaragno

Common Sense

Nominee

Jack Hidary

Freedom

Nominee

Michael K. Greys

Flourish Every Person

Nominee

Michael J. Dilger

Jobs & Education

Nominee

Jack Hidary

Liberal

After the party twice endorsed a candidate for mayor, only to see them withdraw from the race, the party declined to endorse a third candidate, although they did consider endorsing Jack Hidary.

Unsuccessful

Jack Hidary

Withdrew

Tom Allon, CEO of Manhattan Media and former New York City public school teacher
John Catsimatidis, businessman, owner of companies including the Red Apple Group, the Gristedes supermarket chain and the United Refining Company
Adolfo Carrión Jr., former director of the White House Office of Urban Affairs and former Borough President of The Bronx
Joe Lhota, former chairman of the MTA

Libertarian

Joe Lhota was originally nominated as the Libertarian candidate during the Party Convention held on April 6, 2013, a nomination he declined. It was soon after ruled by the Libertarian Executive Committee that this nomination was invalid and void due to the attending voters of this first Convention not being properly credentialed. A second nominating convention was held on June 11, 2013, which nominated Michael Sanchez.

Nominee

Michael Sanchez, activist

Unsuccessful

Randy Credico, comedian and former director of the William Moses Kunstler Fund for Racial Justice

Withdrew

Kristin M. Davis, former madam and Anti-Prohibition Party nominee for Governor of New York in 2010
Joe Lhota, former chairman of the MTA

Reform Party of New York City

Nominee

Carl Person, attorney and Libertarian nominee for New York Attorney General in 2010

Rent Is Too Damn High

Nominee

Jimmy McMillan, party founder and perennial candidate

School Choice

Nominee

Erick Salgado

Socialist Workers

Nominee

Dan Fein, nominee for governor in 2010, Mayor in 2009 and for Comptroller in 2005

Students First

Nominee

Joe Lhota

Tax Wall Street

Nominee

Randy Credico

Taxes 2 High

Nominee

Joe Lhota

War Veterans

Nominee

Sam Sloan, chess player, publisher and Libertarian candidate for governor in 2010

Independent

Candidates

Unsuccessful

Michael Post, sewage treatment worker

Declined

Tony Danza, actor
Raymond Kelly, Commissioner of the New York City Police Department

General election

Polling

With Kelly

Poll source	Date administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Raymond Kelly	Bill de Blasio	Other	Undecided
Quinnipiac	May 3–8, 2012	1,066	± 3%	34%	46%	1%	18%

Poll source	Date administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Raymond Kelly	Christine Quinn	Other	Undecided
Quinnipiac	May 3–8, 2012	1,066	± 3%	33%	48%	3%	16%

Poll source	Date administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Raymond Kelly	Bill Thompson	Other	Undecided
Quinnipiac	May 3–8, 2012	1,066	± 3%	34%	46%	2%	18%

With Lhota

Poll source	Date administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Joe Lhota	Sal Albanese	Other	Undecided
Marist	February 4–12, 2013	816	± 3.4%	21%	52%	—	27%

Poll source	Date administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Joe Lhota	John Liu	Other	Undecided
Quinnipiac	April 15–18, 2013	1,161	± 2.9%	22%	56%	2%	21%
Quinnipiac	April 3–8, 2013	1,417	± 2.6%	20%	52%	2%	25%
Quinnipiac	February 20–25, 2013	1,017	± 3.1%	22%	53%	2%	22%
Marist	February 4–12, 2013	816	± 3.4%	20%	56%	—	23%

Poll source	Date administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Joe Lhota	Christine Quinn	Other	Undecided
Quinnipiac	April 15–18, 2013	1,161	± 2.9%	21%	60%	2%	17%
Quinnipiac	April 3–8, 2013	1,417	± 2.6%	19%	59%	2%	21%
Quinnipiac	February 20–25, 2013	1,017	± 3.1%	19%	63%	2%	16%
Marist	February 4–12, 2013	816	± 3.4%	18%	64%	—	18%
Quinnipiac	January 8–14, 2013	1,332	± 2.7%	17%	62%	1%	19%

Poll source	Date administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Joe Lhota	Bill Thompson	Other	Undecided
Quinnipiac	April 15–18, 2013	1,161	± 2.9%	19%	55%	2%	23%
Quinnipiac	April 3–8, 2013	1,417	± 2.6%	17%	55%	2%	25%
Quinnipiac	February 20–25, 2013	1,017	± 3.1%	20%	55%	1%	24%
Marist	February 4–12, 2013	816	± 3.4%	19%	61%	—	20%
Quinnipiac	January 8–14, 2013	1,332	± 2.7%	19%	55%	2%	24%

Poll source	Date administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Joe Lhota	Anthony Weiner	Other	Undecided
Quinnipiac	April 15–18, 2013	1,161	± 2.9%	26%	51%	2%	21%

Three-way race

Poll source	Date administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Joe Lhota	Christine Quinn	Adolfo Carrión Jr.	Other	Undecided
Marist	February 4–12, 2013	816	± 3.4%	17%	59%	8%	—	17%

Four-way race

Poll source	Date administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Joe Lhota	Bill de Blasio	Adolfo Carrión Jr.	Raymond Kelly	Other	Undecided
Quinnipiac	February 4–12, 2013	816	± 3.4%	9%	35%	3%	27%	2%	22%

Poll source	Date administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Joe Lhota	Christine Quinn	Adolfo Carrión Jr.	Raymond Kelly	Other	Undecided
Quinnipiac	February 4–12, 2013	816	± 3.4%	8%	38%	5%	25%	2%	23%

Poll source	Date administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Joe Lhota	Bill Thompson	Adolfo Carrión Jr.	Raymond Kelly	Other	Undecided
Quinnipiac	February 4–12, 2013	816	± 3.4%	8%	38%	4%	25%	2%	23%

Poll source	Date administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Joe Lhota	Anthony Weiner	Adolfo Carrión Jr.	Raymond Kelly	Other	Undecided
Quinnipiac	February 4–12, 2013	816	± 3.4%	10%	36%	4%	27%	2%	22%

Open primary

Poll source	Date administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Tom Allon	Bill	Raymond Kelly	John Liu	Marty Markowitz	Christine Quinn	Scott Stringer	Bill Thompson	Other	Undecided
Quinnipiac	December 7–12, 2011	1,242	± 2.8%	0%	6%	24%	7%	13%	18%	5%	7%	4%	15%
Quinnipiac	October 12–16, 2011	1,068	± 3.0%	0%	6%	25%	10%	14%	17%	5%	8%	4%	12%
Quinnipiac	July 19–25, 2011	1,234	± 2.8%	1%	6%	23%	10%	12%	18%	4%	8%	2%	16%