De Blasio's rival concedes in NYC mayoral race
- Public Advocate Bill de Blasio was the top vote-getter in the Democratic primary on Sept. 10
- Thompson was defeated by Michael Bloomberg in the 2009 mayor%27s race
- Joe Lhota%2C a former deputy mayor under Rudy Giuliani%2C is the Republican nominee
Bill de Blasio won the support Monday from his chief Democratic rival, William Thompson, who conceded Monday and endorsed the city's public advocate in his bid for New York City mayor.
Thompson, the No. 2 vote-getter in last week's primary, said he gave up his right for every vote to be counted because to continue would be a "disservice to New Yorkers who are desperate for new direction after 12 long years" under the leadership of Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
The exit by Thompson, a former city comptroller who lost the 2009 mayor's race to Bloomberg, avoids a potentially divisive Democratic runoff as the nation's most populous city picks a successor to Bloomberg, an independent whose tenure has become a focal point in the campaign.
De Blasio now heads to the Nov. 5 general election against Republican Joe Lhota, a former chief of the regional transportation authority and deputy mayor under Rudy Giuliani.
In a show of Democratic Party unity, de Blasio and Thompson were flanked by New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and U.S. Rep. Charles Rangel as Thompson conceded on the steps of New York City Hall. Cuomo helped broker the deal that led to Thompson's withdrawal from the race, two people familiar with Thompson's decision told the Associated Press. The AP granted the sources anonymity so they could speak freely ahead of Monday's announcement.
The way to restore "justice and dignity, hope and equality to every neighborhood in New York is to return a progressive to City Hall who will make New York a city of opportunity," Thompson said. "The path to getting there begins with Bill de Blasio walking through these doors as the next mayor of the city of New York."
Thompson decided to give up his mayoral bid after an initial canvassing of voting machines this weekend showed little change in the unofficial results from last Tuesday's Democratic primary, in which de Blasio was just over the 40% needed to avoid a runoff.
Thompson wanted every vote counted, but he was under heavy pressure to get behind de Blasio so the party could unite. The city's elections board will continue counting paper and absentee ballots on Monday.
Even if de Blasio's final vote drops below 40%, the mayoral primary will remain on the city's Oct. 1 runoff ballot. Thompson missed the Friday, Sept. 13, deadline to have his name taken off the ballot, AP reported.
Democrats have a 6-to-1 voter registration advantage over Republicans in New York City. Despite that lopsided advantage, the last Democrat elected mayor of New York City was David Dinkins in 1989.
De Blasio emerged from a crowded Democratic field, in which City Council Speaker Christine Quinn and former congressman Anthony Weiner had previously been front-runners, as he vowed to reduce the city's economic inequality. He also couched himself as the candidate most unlike Bloomberg, who has said he will not endorse a successor.
"New York loves its primary campaigns," Cuomo said, in a joking reference to the sometimes circus-like atmosphere this year. "We had some doozies this year."
Cuomo also congratulated Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, who defeated ex-governor Eliot Spitzer, in the Democratic race for city comptroller. Cuomo noted Stringer won "after being outspent 2 to 1."