The 2013 New York City Public Advocate election was held on November 5, 2013, along with elections for the Mayor, Comptroller, Borough Presidents, and members of the New York City Council. Incumbent Democratic Public Advocate Bill de Blasio, serving his first term, ran for Mayor of New York City rather than seek re-election.
The Democratic Party held its primary on September 10, and since no candidate reached 40%, a runoff was held on October 1 between the top two candidates, Councilwoman Letitia James and State Senator Daniel Squadron. James won the runoff to become the Democratic nominee.
The Republican Party did not nominate a candidate. In the general election, James faced Green Party nominee James Lane and Conservative nominee Robert Maresca as well as various minor party candidates.
James won the general election in a landslide.CBS New York
Democratic primary
Candidates
Declared Cathy Guerriero, adjunct professor at Columbia University and New York University Letitia James, New York City Councilwoman (also received the Working Families Party nomination) Reshma Saujani, former Deputy Public Advocate and candidate for New York's 14th congressional district in 2010 Daniel Squadron, State Senator Sidique Wai, New York University professor
Declined Bill de Blasio, incumbent Public Advocate (running for mayor)
Tone The runoff between Letitia James and Daniel Squadron was characterized as bitter by most of the media outlets that covered it.
Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror CatherineGuerriero LetitiaJames ReshmaSaujani DanielSquadron SidiqueWai Other UndecidedMaristMarist August 12–14, 2013 355 ± 5.2% 12% 16% 3% 12% 2% 6% 49%MaristMarist June 17–21, 2013 689 ± 4% 16% 17% 8% 4% — <1% 54%
Debates + 2013 New York City public advocate election democratic primary debates Date Host Moderator Link Democratic Democratic Democratic Democratic DemocraticKey: Participant Absent Not invited Invited Withdrawn Catherine Guerriero Letitia James Reshma Saujani Daniel Squadron Sidique Wai1 Aug. 15, 2013 Citizens Committee of New YorkCitizens UnionGothamistHispanic FederationNew York OneNew York One NoticiasNew York City Campaign Finance BoardTransportation AlternativesWNYC-FM Errol Louis YouTube 2 Aug. 25, 2013 New York City Campaign Finance BoardTelemundo Nueva YorkThe Wall Street JournalWNBC Melissa RussoDavid Ushery YouTube
+ 2013 New York City public advocate election democratic primary run-off debate Date Host Moderator Link Democratic DemocraticKey: Participant Absent Not invited Invited Withdrawn Letitia James Daniel Squadron1 Sep. 24, 2013 Citizens Committee of New YorkCitizens UnionGothamistHispanic FederationNew York OneNew York One NoticiasNew York City Campaign Finance BoardTransportation AlternativesWNYC-FM Brian LehrerErrol Louis YouTube
Results
Republican primary No Republican candidate filed to run for the office.
Major third parties Besides the two main parties, the Conservative, Green, Independence and Working Families parties are qualified New York parties. These parties have automatic ballot access.
Conservative
Nominee Robert Maresca
Green
Nominee James Lane, internet media professional and Green Party activist.
Working Families
Nominee Letitia James, New York City Councilwoman from Brooklyn
Minor third parties The following parties without automatic ballot access succeeded in petitioning onto the ballot:
Freedom
Nominee Michael K. Lloyd
Libertarian
Nominee Alex Merced, author, columnist, and blogger
Socialist Worker
Nominee Deborah O. Liatos
Students First
Nominee Mollena G. Fabricant
War Veterans
Nominee Irene Estrada
General Election results
References
External links Letitia "Tish" James for Public Advocate James Lane for Public Advocate