In the race for the highest office in New York City, Democrat Bill Thompson will challenge Michael Bloomberg in November’s Mayoral election.
Thompson, who has served as the city’s Comptroller for the past eight years, handily defeated Queens City Councilmember Tony Avella in the September 15 Democratic Mayoral primary by a margin of 70 percent to 21 percent. Candidate Roland Rogers had 8 percent of the vote.
“Tonight, Mayor Bloomberg, it’s time to stop hiding behind your TV ads and your glossy mailings and actually address the voters of this city,” Thompson said during his victory celebration on Tuesday night. “Mike, I have a challenge for you: Let’s debate all across this city. In each borough…I’m not afraid to tell New Yorkers about my vision for this city. Are you?"
Thompson focused much of his attention during the primary on Mayor Bloomberg, knowing that he would likely come away as the Democratic nominee in the mayor’s race. Prior to serving as the Comptroller, Thompson served for eight years as the President of the now-defunct Board of Education.
Avella, who has represented northeast Queens District 19 in the City Council for the past eight years, said he decided a long time ago that he would not run for reelection to the Council unless the voters extended term limits by public referendum.
During Primary Day, Thompson voted early in the morning and then spent the day campaigning throughout the city, including making stops in the Jacob Riis houses in Long Island City and the Elmcor Senior Center where he campaigned with incumbent City Councilmember Julissa Ferreras, who is also running in the Primary in the 21st Council District.
Throughout the campaign season, polls have shown Thompson continuing to trail Bloomberg, who is running in the general election on both the Republican and Independence lines, by double digits. Some recent polls have shown Thompson making a small dent in Bloomberg’s lead.
“I‘m the best person for this job because I know New York City, and I know New Yorkers,” Thompson told The Courier last month. “I know our neighborhoods because I was raised in our neighborhoods. I understand our schools because they were my schools. And I appreciate the challenges New Yorkers face every day, because I’ve faced them too. That’s why I will be a Mayor for all New Yorkers.”
