Scott Stringer won the Democratic primary for New York City comptroller on Tuesday, bringing an end to Eliot Spitzer’s surprise bid to restart his political career in a race that would have remained far from the national headlines if it weren’t for his late entry this summer. The Associated Press reports that as of late Tuesday, Stringer had a 52-percent-to-48-percent lead with 92 percent of precincts reporting, and that Spitzer had called to concede. The New York Times with the refresher for those who need it:
Mr. Spitzer resigned as governor five years ago in a prostitution scandal, and Mr. Stringer repeatedly invoked it during their brief but bitter campaign. Again and again he painted Mr. Spitzer as a rich man who believed that he could escape the consequences of breaking the law.
Mr. Stringer had declared his candidacy last November, and he had virtually unanimous support from the city’s labor unions and elected leaders. Mr. Spitzer announced his bid only in July, just days before petitions were due to get on the ballot. He waged a relatively lonely campaign, fueled by his family’s real estate fortune. But he was able to attract significant support, particularly among black voters, who expressed a greater willingness than white voters to overlook his mistakes.
Stringer, currently Manhattan borough president, still technically needs to win the general election, although he’s expected to coast to a relatively easy victory given roughly 70 percent of New York City voters are Democrats.
