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2013 New York City Comptroller election

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The 2013 election for New York City Comptroller was held on November 5, 2013, along with elections for Mayor, Public Advocate, Borough Presidents, and members of the New York City Council.

2013 New York City comptroller election
← 2009 November 5, 2013 2017 →
 
Candidate Scott Stringer John Burnett
Party Democratic Republican
Alliance Working Families Conservative; School Choice
Popular vote 827,562 171,635
Percentage 80.4% 16.7%
Borough results
Stringer:      50–60%      70–80%      80–90%
Comptroller before election

John Liu
Democratic

Elected Comptroller

Scott Stringer
Democratic

The first-term incumbent Comptroller, John Liu, did not run for re-election, as he decided to run in the 2013 election for Mayor of New York City.[1] The Democratic Party nomination was won by Scott Stringer, who defeated former Governor Eliot Spitzer, who resigned in disgrace in 2008. John Burnett was the Republican nominee.

On Election Day, Stringer handily defeated Burnett and various third-party candidates, winning 80.4% of the vote.

Democratic primary

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New York City borough President Scott Stringer was considered to be the front runner for the Democratic nomination, having raised nearly $3.5 million as of July 7, 2013. When former New York governor Eliot Spitzer announced his intention to run for the office, he brought a larger challenge to Stringer. In 2008, while governor, Spitzer resigned amid a prostitution scandal. His name recognition as a former governor was expected to help him in the election, while the scandal was expected to harm his chances. "I'm hopeful there will be forgiveness, I am asking for it," Spitzer said, commenting on the scandal.[2] "Politics is a contact sport," Spitzer said on July 8, on radio's The Bill Press Show. "I made significant errors. I stood up, accepted responsibility, resigned. It's now been five years, I hope the public will extend its forgiveness to me."[3]

Coincidentally, Spitzer was running against Kristin M. Davis (who was running as a Libertarian), his former madam who had helped him get call girls as governor. She spent three months in prison for running an escort service. "This is going to be the funnest campaign ever," she told The New York Daily News. "I’ve been waiting for my day to face [Spitzer] for five years," Davis said. "I sat ... in Rikers Island, I came out penniless and nothing happened to him. The hypocrisy there is huge."[4][5]

Stringer's campaign immediately responded to Spitzer's candidacy. On July 8, his campaign manager released a statement saying, "Scott Stringer has a proven record of results and integrity and entered this race to help New York's middle class regain its footing. By contrast, Eliot Spitzer is going to spurn the campaign finance program to try and buy personal redemption with his family fortune. The voters will decide." The statement alluded to Spitzer's family fortune.[6] Prior to Spitzer's announcement, Stringer had already received several endorsements from candidates in the mayoral election, most of whom did not withdraw their endorsements after Spitzer's announcement. One of the first to publicly state her support of Stringer was Christine Quinn, who is the Speaker of the New York City Council. She stated, "Scott Stringer has been an exceptional borough president with the highest ethical standards. He has my full support and I will do whatever I can to help him become the next comptroller of the City of New York."[7]

Spitzer appeared on CNBC's Morning Joe on July 9, and was visibly emotional when asked about what he had learned the past five years.[8]

Stringer's fundraising soared dramatically after Spitzer's announcement. During the week of July 8, Stringer raised over $100,000. In all, Stringer had spent just over $679,000 and had $3 million on hand. Spitzer declared that he could use his family fortune to finance his campaign. Although he hired staffers to collect petitions, Spitzer's campaign did not list any major spending during the then most recent filing period.[9]

On July 11, a deadline passed for candidates to file an ethics report. Several of the candidates, most notably Spitzer, did not file the report in time. Not filing a report can lead to a fine of between $250 and $10,000. However, there was a 1-week grace period before any penalties were enforced. A lawyer representing Spitzer's campaign said the candidate was "very busy" last week working on filing petitions with the signatures he needed to secure a spot on the Democratic ballot. A spokesperson for Stringer's campaign stated, "The old Eliot Spitzer supported stringent ethics disclosure. Just as we've seen on his decision to abandon campaign spending limits he once supported, it's increasingly clear that Eliot Spitzer believes there are two standards in public life—one for him, and one for everyone else."[10] Even with that news, Spitzer was still leading in polls conducted.[11]

In an ad that began airing during the week of July 22, 2013, Spitzer admitted that he "failed-big time." He went on to say, "I hurt a lot of people. When you dig yourself a hole, you can either lie in it the rest of your life, or do something positive. That's why I'm running... Everyone, no matter who you are, deserves a fair shot. I'm asking voters to give the same for me."[12]

News coverage about the election (and, more specifically, Spitzer's attempt at redemption) were mixed. On July 18 CNN host Jake Tapper talked about Spitzer's "incredibly reckless and ... very illegal" prostitution scandal. In an interview on The Colbert Report, comedian Stephen Colbert noted Spitzer's lead in the polls by asking, "Do you [Spitzer] think that signals progress for our country or the slow decay of our moral values?" After Spitzer began laughing, Colbert declared, "This isn't Charlie Rose motherf**ker!" Speaking about Spitzer's own qualifications Colbert asked if Spitzer was "at once and the same time above and below this job?" He later asked, "Shouldn't the job of comptroller go to someone who has shown a modicum of self-comptrol? Why should the people trust you?" "The totality of a record," Spitzer suggested, such as his time as Attorney General, make him a suitable candidate. In 2010, after the initial scandal, Colbert told him he could be honest with him because Spitzer had "no public image to uphold."[13] However, Politico blogger Gary Bauer suggested that, unlike Anthony Weiner (who was running for mayor), Spitzer seemed to be redeeming himself.[14] Similarly, the Los Angeles Times noted that, while Spitzer's past had hurt him, voters were beginning to forgive him, noting that, unlike Weiner, Spitzer stopped his behavior immediately after leaving office.[15][dubious – discuss]

Stringer defeated Spitzer in the primary election, 52.1%-47.9%.[16]

Candidates

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Declared

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Withdrew

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Declined

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Polling

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Poll source Date(s)
administered 		Sample
size 		Margin of
error 		Eliot
Spitzer 		Scott
Stringer 		Other Undecided
PPP[23] September 7–8, 2013 683 ± 3.8% 45% 41% — 14%
Quinnipiac[24] September 6–8, 2013 782 ± 3.5% 43% 50% 1% 7%
Marist[25] September 3–6, 2013 556 ± 4.2% 47% 45% <1% 7%
Quinnipiac[26] August 28–September 1, 2013 750 ± 3.6% 45% 47% — 7%
Siena[27] August 19–28, 2013 505 ± 4% 50% 35% — 15%
amNewYork/News 12[28] August 22–27, 2013 600 ± 4% 46% 43% — 10%
Quinnipiac[29] August 22–27, 2013 602 ± 4% 46% 46% — 8%
Marist[30] August 12–14, 2013 355 ± 5.2% 53% 34% 1% 11%
Quinnipiac[31] August 7–12, 2013 579 ± 4.1% 56% 37% — 7%
Siena[32] August 2–7, 2013 505 ± 4% 44% 35% 2% 19%
Marist[33] July 24, 2013 551 ± 4.2% 49% 32% 2% 17%
Quinnipiac[34] July 18–23, 2013 507 ± 4.4% 49% 45% — 6%
Quinnipiac[35] July 8–14, 2013 738 ± 3.6% 48% 33% 1% 19%
Marist[36] July 8–9, 2013 546 ± 4.2% 42% 33% 1% 24%

Results

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2013 New York City Comptroller Election Democratic Primary Results[37][16]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Scott Stringer 314,285 52.1
Democratic Eliot Spitzer 288,739 47.9

Republican primary

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John Burnett, a Wall Street financier, ran unopposed for the nomination of the Republican Party. In mid-July 2013, he announced he would release his personal tax returns.[38] New York Republican consultant William F. B. O'Reilly opined that Burnett would have a reasonably strong chance of success in the election if Spitzer won the Democratic primary.[39][40]

Candidates

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Nominee

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  • John Burnett, financier[41]

Major third parties

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Besides the Democratic and Republican parties, the Conservative, Green, Independence and Working Families parties are qualified New York parties. These parties have automatic ballot access.

Conservative

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Nominee

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  • John Burnett, financier[38]

Green

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Nominee

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Working Families

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Nominee

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Minor third parties

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Any candidate not among the six qualified New York parties (Democratic, Republican, Conservative, Green, Independence and Working Families) must petition their way onto the ballot; they do not face primary elections.

Libertarian

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Nominee

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  • Hesham El-Meligy, activist[44]

Withdrew

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Socialist Worker

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Nominee

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  • John W. Studer

School Choice

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Nominee

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  • John L. Burnett

War Veterans Party

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Nominee

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Results

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On Election Day, Stringer handily defeated Burnett and various third-party candidates,[46] winning 80.4% of the vote. Burnett received 16.7% of the vote.[47]

General election results[47]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Scott Stringer 776,700 75.48%
Working Families Scott Stringer 50,862 4.94%
Total Scott Stringer 827,562 80.43%
Republican John Burnett 141,854 13.79%
Conservative John Burnett 28,574 2.78%
School Choice John Burnett 1,207 0.12%
Total John Burnett 171,635 16.68%
Green Julia Willebrand 20,566 2.00%
Libertarian Hesham El-Meligy 5,349 0.52%
Socialist Workers John Studer 2,013 0.20%
War Veterans Richard Bozulich 1,240 0.12%
Write-ins 614 0.06%
Total votes 1,028,979 100%

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Resnick, Gideon (July 8, 2013). "John Liu Says Eliot Spitzer and Anthony Weiner Are a 'Huge Affront to Women'". Politicker.
  2. ^ "Ex-Gov. Spitzer plans run for NYC comptroller". USA Today. July 7, 2013.
  3. ^ Reiss, Adam, Payne, Ed (July 8, 2013). "Spitzer seeks return to politics -- as NYC comptroller". CNN.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  4. ^ "Kristin Davis, Ex-Madam, Running For NYC Comptroller Against Eliot Spitzer". Huffington Post. July 8, 2013.
  5. ^ a b Dover, Sara (July 7, 2013). "Disgraced ex-Gov. Eliot Spitzer re-enters politics in NYC comptroller bid". CBS News.
  6. ^ Campbell, Colin (July 8, 2013). "Scott Stringer Comes Out Swinging Against Eliot Spitzer". Politicker.
  7. ^ Katz, Celeste (July 7, 2013). "NY Mayor Hopefuls Rally To Scott Stringer's Side As Eliot Spitzer Jumps into Comptroller Race". New York Daily News.
  8. ^ Edelman, Adam. "Choked up Eliot Spitzer says he failed electorate, family but deserves forgiveness: 'You go through that pain and you change'". NY Daily News. Retrieved July 10, 2013.
  9. ^ Sale, Anna (July 15, 2013). "After Spitzer, Stringer's Fundraising Soars". WNYC. Archived from the original on August 8, 2013. Retrieved July 19, 2013.
  10. ^ Saul, Michael Howard (July 15, 2013). "Spitzer, Other Candidates Miss Deadline for Filing Ethics Report". The Wall Street Journal.
  11. ^ Peltz, Jennifer (July 15, 2013). "Spitzer, Weiner Top Names in New Poll of NYC Races". New York 4.
  12. ^ Boerma, Linda (July 22, 2013). "Eliot Spitzer's new ad for comptroller: "I failed, big time"". CBS News. Retrieved July 22, 2013.
  13. ^ "Stephen Colbert Grills Eliot Spitzer, Declares 'This Ain't Charlie Rose, Motherf**ker' (VIDEO)". The Huffington Post. July 18, 2013. Retrieved July 19, 2013.
  14. ^ Bauer, Gary (August 15, 2013). "Why Anthony Weiner sinks while Eliot Spitzer soars". Politico. Retrieved August 19, 2013.
  15. ^ Tangel, Andrew (August 15, 2013). "Eliot Spitzer seeks political revival after prostitution scandal". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 19, 2013.
  16. ^ a b "2013 September. Primary election" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on September 6, 2020. Retrieved April 24, 2019.
  17. ^ Barbaro, Michael, Chen, David W. (July 7, 2013). "Spitzer Rejoins Politics, Asking for Forgiveness". New York Times.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  18. ^ Enquist, Erik (April 28, 2013). "For Scott Stringer, winning's the easy part". Crain's New York Business.
  19. ^ Campbell, Colin (July 10, 2013). "Dan Garodnick Exits Stage Right". Politicker.
  20. ^ Katz, Celeste (December 4, 2012). "Brooklyn City Councilman Domenic Recchia: I'm Not Running For Comptroller". NY Daily News.
  21. ^ Seifman, David (January 29, 2013). "Weiner's test run". New York Post.
  22. ^ Seifman, David (February 24, 2013). "Lucky first Stringer". New York Post.
  23. ^ PPP
  24. ^ Quinnipiac Archived September 13, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
  25. ^ Marist
  26. ^ Quinnipiac
  27. ^ Siena
  28. ^ amNewYork/News 12
  29. ^ Quinnipiac
  30. ^ Marist
  31. ^ Quinnipiac
  32. ^ Siena
  33. ^ Marist
  34. ^ Quinnipiac
  35. ^ Quinnipiac Archived July 19, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
  36. ^ Marist
  37. ^ "Live Results: New York City Primary Elections". The Huffington Post. September 10, 2013.
  38. ^ a b "Ex-N.Y. Gov. Spitzer releases tax returns". USA Today. July 17, 2013.
  39. ^ O'Reilly, William F. B. (July 13, 2013). "O'Reilly: Can a Republican become NYC comptroller?". News Day. Retrieved July 23, 2013.
  40. ^ George, Robert A. (July 10, 2013). "The real comptroller surprise". New York Post. Retrieved July 23, 2013.
  41. ^ Katz, Celeste (June 13, 2013). "Republican Wall Street Vet John Burnett Ready To Jump into Race For NYC Comptroller". New York Daily News.
  42. ^ "Spitzer: Petition Signatures Collection For NYC Comptroller Campaign 'Going Well'". The Huffington Post. July 11, 2013.
  43. ^ Enquist, Erik (December 10, 2012). "Working Families Party Backing Scott Stringer For NYC Comptroller". NY Daily News.
  44. ^ Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma-Hammel. "Staten Island interfaith activist Hesham El-Meligy is Libertarian Party candidate for NYC comptroller". SILive.com. Retrieved August 12, 2013.
  45. ^ Nelson, Steven (August 26, 2013). "Spitzer's Ex-Madam Kristin Davis Slips Out of Comptroller Race". US News.
  46. ^ Goldberg, Dan. "Scott Stringer coasts to victory to become city comptroller". Politico PRO.
  47. ^ a b "2013 New York City Comptroller election" (PDF).

Further reading

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