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
Declared Sal Albanese, former New York City Councilman Ceceilia Berkowitz, social media journalist Randy Credico, comedian and former director of the William Moses Kunstler Fund for Racial Justice Bill de Blasio, New York City Public Advocate John Liu, New York City Comptroller Christine Quinn, speaker of the New York City Council Erick Salgado, Pastor of the Church of Iglesia Jovenes Cristianos Bill Thompson, former New York City Comptroller and nominee for Mayor in 2009 Anthony Weiner, former U.S. Representative for
Withdrew Tom Allon, CEO of Manhattan Media and former New York City public school teacher (initially declared as a Democrat; then withdrew and declared as a Republican; also received the nomination of the Liberal Party, before dropping out entirely)
Declined Alec Baldwin, actor William J. Bratton, former Commissioner of the New York City Police Department Hillary Clinton, former United States Secretary of State and former U.S. Senator Rubén Díaz Jr., Bronx Borough President Gregory Floyd, president of the New York City Teamsters union Leo Hindery, businessman Eva Moskowitz, CEO of the Success Academy Charter Schools and former New York City Councilwoman Ed Rendell, former Governor of Pennsylvania Scott Stringer, borough president of Manhattan (ran for Comptroller) Merryl Tisch, chancellor of the New York State Board of Regents Christopher O. Ward, former director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Mortimer Zuckerman, businessman
Graphical summary
Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror SalAlbanese TomAllon Billde Blasio JohnLiu MartyMarkowitz ChristineQuinn ErickSalgado ScottStringer BillThompson AnthonyWeiner Other UndecidedPPPPPP September 7–8, 2013 683 ± 3.8% 3% — 38% 5% — 13% 2% — 19% 9% 2% 10%QuinnipiacQuinnipiac September 6–8, 2013 782 ± 3.5% 1% — 39% 4% — 18% — — 25% 6% — 8%MaristMarist September 3–6, 2013 556 ± 4.2% 1% — 36% 5% — 20% 1% — 20% 7% 3% 8%QuinnipiacQuinnipiac August 28 – September 1, 2013 750 ± 3.6% 1% — 43% 4% — 18% — — 20% 7% 1% 8%amNewYorkamNewYork August 22–27, 2013 600 ± 4% 1% — 29% 5% — 17% 1% — 24% 10% — 13%QuinnipiacQuinnipiac August 22–27, 2013 602 ± 4% 1% — 36% 6% — 21% — — 20% 8% — 9%SienaSiena August 19–28, 2013 505 ± 4% 1% — 32% 3% — 17% 1% — 18% 11% — 16%MaristMarist August 12–14, 2013 355 ± 5.2% 1% — 24% 5% — 24% 2% — 18% 11% 4% 12%QuinnipiacQuinnipiac August 7–12, 2013 579 ± 4.1% 1% — 30% 6% — 24% — — 22% 10% — 7% 1% — 32% 7% — 25% — — 25% — — 9%SienaSiena August 2–7, 2013 505 ± 4% 1% — 14% 4% — 25% 3% — 16% 10% — 26%QuinnipiacQuinnipiac July 24–28, 2013 446 ± 4.6% 2% — 21% 6% — 27% — — 20% 16% — 7% 2% — 25% 9% — 30% — — 25% — — 8%MaristMarist July 24, 2013 551 ± 4.2% 1% — 14% 7% — 25% 2% — 14% 16% 2% 19% 1% — 16% 9% — 32% 2% — 17% — 2% 20%QuinnipiacQuinnipiac July 18–23, 2013 507 ± 4.4% 1% — 15% 7% — 22% — — 20% 26% — 8% 2% — 21% 10% — 30% — — 26% — 1% 11%SienaSiena July 9–15, 2013 610 ± 4% 2% — 11% 7% — 27% 1% — 11% 18% 0% 24%QuinnipiacQuinnipiac July 8–14, 2013 738 ± 3.6% 1% — 10% 7% — 22% — — 11% 25% 1% 23%QuinnipiacQuinnipiac June 19–25, 2013 830 ± 3.4% 0% — 10% 7% — 19% — — 16% 17% 1% 28%MaristMarist June 17–21, 2013 689 ± 4% 1% — 10% 8% — 20% 2% — 13% 25% 3% 18%MaristMarist May 22–24, 2013 492 ± 4.4% 1% — 12% 8% — 24% <1% — 11% 19% 1% 23%QuinnipiacQuinnipiac April 15–18, 2013 740 ± 3.6% — — 11% 9% — 28% — — 10% 15% 1% 27%MaristMarist April 11–15, 2013 873 ± 3.3% 2% — 11% 12% — 26% — — 11% 15% 1% 22% 2% — 15% 11% — 30% — — 14% — 2% 26%QuinnipiacQuinnipiac April 3–8, 2013 925 ± 3.2% — — 14% 7% — 32% — — 13% — 2% 32%QuinnipiacQuinnipiac February 20–25, 2013 655 ± 3.8% — — 14% 9% — 37% — — 11% — — 29%MaristMarist February 4–12, 2013 875 ± 3.3% 2% — 12% 9% — 37% — — 13% — 1% 26%QuinnipiacQuinnipiac January 8–14, 2013 879 ± 3.3% — — 11% 9% — 35% — — 10% — 1% 33%QuinnipiacQuinnipiac November 14–18, 2012 1,165 ± 2.9% — — 9% 5% — 32% — 4% 10% — 1% 37%NY1-MaristNY1-Marist October 3–7, 2012 453 ± 4.6% — 2% 8% 9% — 23% — 6% 15% — — 37%QuinnipiacQuinnipiac August 8–12, 2012 1,298 ± 2.7% — 1% 9% 9% — 29% — 4% 10% — 2% 34%Quinnipiac May 3–8, 2012 658 ± 3.8% — 2% 10% 7% — 26% — 4% 13% — 2% 36%NY1-MaristNY1-Marist April 10–17, 2012 402 ± 5% — 1% 10% 9% — 32% — 7% 12% — — 29%QuinnipiacQuinnipiac March 6–11, 2012 964 ± 3.2% — 2% 9% 7% 15% 25% — 7% 13% — 5% 17%QuinnipiacQuinnipiac December 7–12, 2011 1,242 ± 2.8% — 1% 8% 9% 16% 23% — 6% 9% — 5% 21%QuinnipiacQuinnipiac October 12–16, 2011 1,068 ± 3.0% — 1% 8% 11% 17% 22% — 7% 10% — 5% 19%QuinnipiacQuinnipiac July 19–25, 2011 1,234 ± 2.8% — 2% 8% 13% 15% 23% — 5% 10% — 3% 22%
Runoff
Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror Billde Blasio BillThompson Other UndecidedPPP 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(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror Billde Blasio ChristineQuinn Other UndecidedPPP 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(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror Billde Blasio AnthonyWeiner Other UndecidedQuinnipiac August 7–12, 2013 579 ± 4.1% 72% 22% — 6%
Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror JohnLiu ChristineQuinn Other UndecidedMarist May 22–24, 2013 492 ± 4.4% 25% 53% — 22%
Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror ChristineQuinn BillThompson Other UndecidedQuinnipiac 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(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror ChristineQuinn AnthonyWeiner Other UndecidedQuinnipiac 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(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror BillThompson AnthonyWeiner Other UndecidedQuinnipiac 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%
Endorsements
Debates A debate was televised live on WABC on August 13. + 2013 New York City mayoral election democratic primary debates Date Host Moderator Link Democratic Democratic Democratic Democratic Democratic Democratic DemocraticKey: Participant Absent Not invited Invited Withdrawn Sal Albanese Bill de Blasio John Liu Christine Quinn Erick Salgado Bill Thompson Anthony Weiner1 Mar. 21, 2013 92NYThe New York Observer Kenneth FisherKen Kurson YouTube 2 Aug. 21, 2013 Citizens Committee of New YorkCitizens Union, GothamistHispanic Federation, New York 1New York 1 NoticiasNew York City Campaign Finance BoardNew York NewsdayTransportation AlternativesTime Warner Cable, WNYC Errol Louis YouTube 3 Sep. 3, 2013 New York City Campaign Finance BoardTelemundo Nueva YorkThe Wall Street Journal, WNBC Melissa RussoDavid Ushery YouTube
Results
2013 Democratic primaryManhattanThe BronxBrooklynQueens Staten IslandTotal% Bill de Blasio81,19736,896104,70352,1907,358282,34440.81% 40.91%38.12%46.36%34.96%34.33%Bill Thompson42,72031,61761,47138,1626,871180,84126.14% 21.53%32.67%27.22%25.56%32.06%Christine Quinn52,10210,39223,00719,8473,545108,89315.74% 26.25%10.74%10.19%13.29%16.54%John Liu10,1914,75313,92716,9771,43847,2866.84% 5.14%4.91%6.17%11.37%6.71%Anthony Weiner6,8585,72610,9509,4381,22034,1924.94% 3.46%5.92%4.85%6.32%5.69%Erick Salgado2,2963,8555,7933,73523515,9142.30% 1.16%3.98%2.57%2.50%1.10%Randy Credico1,5882,3012,3515,12916111,5301.67% 0.80%2.38%1.04%3.44%0.75%Sal Albanese8215812,3461,6484475,8430.84% 0.41%0.60%1.04%1.10%2.09%Neil Grimaldi6346401,1082,1571384,6770.68% 0.32%0.66%0.49%1.44%0.64%all write-in votes501817221202810.04% 0.03%0.02%0.08%0.01%0.09%TOTAL198,45796,779225,828149,30421,443691,801 TURNOUT29.83%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 (received the Liberal Party nomination; then withdrew after losing the Republican primary) Joe Lhota, former chairman of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (also received the Conservative Party nomination) George T. McDonald, founder of The Doe Fund
Withdrew Tom Allon, CEO of Manhattan Media and former New York City public school teacher (initially declared as a Democrat; then withdrew and declared as a Republican; also received the nomination of the Liberal Party, before dropping out entirely)