2013 NYC Comptroller Dem Primary & General Election

The 2013 NYC Comptroller Election, a contest between Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer and frm. NY governor Elliot Spitzer saw Stringer pull a come from behind victory over Spitzer in the latter's attempted political comeback after being forced to resign the Governorship of NY due to being caught in a prostitution scandal.

Getting into the race early with significant political support, including from his political mentor—U.S. Representative Jerry Nadler—Stringer began behind the curve once Spitzer announced that he would be running for Comptroller.

Here, the frm. governor's campaign emphasized that he was a changed man and wanted forgiveness, eschewing public financing in favor of relying on his family's vast personal wealth, Spitzer likewise campaigned on his time as Attorney General and being 'the sheriff of wall street'

Besides focusing on their own bases, the race was also incredibly toxic, with Stringer accusing Spitzer of Money laundering due to his high ring prostitution scandal, and Spitzer accusing stringer of dealing with then Mayor-Mike Bloomberg to hand the former Republican a third term in City Hall

However, despite polling suggesting that Spitzer deserved another chance, he was unable to convince the primary electorate to give it to him—winning among African Americans, Latinos, and Asian-American voters

Primary by Assembly District

General by Assembly District

Spitzer was unable to overcome Spiller's broad coalition of white voters—including orthodox Jews in Borough Park, the Homeowners in Northern Queens, Astoria-Steinway, Prospect park, Riverdale, and the conservative Howard Beach, & Staten Island

Come the General election Stringer would easlly best Unknown African-American Republican candidate John Burnett with 80% of the vote—winning all but AD-62 in southern Staten Island

Original Map