Eliot Spitzer’s comeback failure was Scott Stringer’s political triumph in the comptroller primary Tuesday.
The Manhattan borough president beat the former governor, earning 52 percent of the vote with 98 percent of the precincts reporting, according to unofficial results.
“I will bring integrity to this office. I will bring experience and leadership. I will make sure that I make you proud,” said Stringer in his election night victory speech.
“And to the people of this city as I continue to get to know you, I want you to know I believe that public office can make a difference. I’ve believed that since I was a little kid. I believe it more than ever tonight.”
Stringer was looking at a guaranteed Democratic nomination until Spitzer decided to throw his hat in the ring.
Following on the heels of Anthony Weiner’s political comeback attempt, Spitzer entered the race less than a week before he had to collect 3,750 signatures from registered Democratic voters to make it onto the ballot.
He was able to meet that July 11 deadline with more than enough support.
Initial polls showed Spitzer ahead of Stringer, but in the days before the election, they showed the race was in too-close-to-call.
Though the former governor had the stigma of a prostitution scandal that forced him to resign in 2008, some argued his name recognition would give him an advantage.
But that advantage may not have worked for the polls that matter.
Stringer will go on to face Republican John Burnett, who has worked on Wall Street, Libertarian candidate and activist Hesham El-Meligy, and Green Party candidate and former school teacher Julia Willebrand in the November 5 general election.
In an additional twist to an already interesting election season, another potential opponent was former madam Kristin Davis.
Running as a Libertarian candidate, Davis spent time in jail for running her prostitution business, and said she provided woman to Spitzer, though those claims were never verified.
She was arrested in August for allegedly selling prescription drugs, and reportedly never filed petitions to get on the ballot.
