2009 New York City Comptroller election
{{Short description|none}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2021}}
{{Infobox election
| election_name = 2009 New York City comptroller election
| country = New York City
| type = Presidential
| ongoing = no
| previous_election = 2005 New York City comptroller election
| previous_year = 2005
| next_election = 2013 New York City Comptroller election
| next_year = 2013
| election_date = November 3, 2009
| image1 = File:NLN John Liu 01 (3x4 crop).jpg
| image_size = 150x150px
| candidate1 = John Liu
| party1 = Democratic Party (United States)
| popular_vote1 = 750,334
| percentage1 = 76.9%
| image2 = 3x4.svg
| candidate2 = Joe Mendola
| popular_vote2 = 185,056
| percentage2 = 19.0%
| party2 = Republican Party (United States)
| map_image = {{switcher|250px|Borough results|250px|State Assembly results}}
| map_caption = Liu: {{legend0|#7996e2|50–60%}} {{legend0|#6674de|60–70%}} {{legend0|#584cde|70–80%}} {{legend0|#3933e5|80–90%}} {{legend0|#0d0596|>90%}}
Mendola: {{legend0|#ffb2b2|40–50%}} {{legend0|#e27f7f|50–60%}}
| title = Comptroller
| before_election = Bill Thompson
| before_party = Democratic Party (United States)
| after_election = John C. Liu
| after_party = Democratic Party (United States)
| alliance1 = Working Families
}}
{{ElectionsNY}}
The 2009 election for New York City Comptroller was held on November 3, 2009, to coincide with the 2009 mayoral election to determine who would serve as New York City Comptroller. The Democratic and Republican primaries were held on September 15, 2009. There was a run-off election for the Democratic Party nomination on September 29, 2009.
Joe Mendola was nominated as the Republican candidate. John Liu was nominated as the candidate of the Democratic Party; he was also on the Working Families Party line in November. Liu won the race and was elected Comptroller, becoming the first Asian American to be elected to a citywide office.{{cite news|url=http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/politics/Liu-Becomes-1st-Asian-in-City-Wide-Office-69023447.html|title=Liu Becomes First Asian-American in City-Wide Office|author=Victoria Cavaliere|publisher=NBC|date=2009-11-04|access-date=2009-11-04}}
Democratic nomination
Four candidates sought the Democratic Party nomination.{{cite web|url=http://www.vote.nyc.ny.us/pdf/documents/boe/2009PrimaryElection/CandidacyList.pdf|title=The Contest List|date=August 26, 2009|access-date=August 31, 2009|publisher=Board of Elections in the City of New York|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091007040633/http://www.vote.nyc.ny.us/pdf/documents/boe/2009PrimaryElection/CandidacyList.pdf|archive-date=October 7, 2009}}{{cite web|url=http://wabc.typepad.com/2009vote/2009/06/races-to-watch-new-york-city-comptroller.html|title=Races to Watch - New York City Comptroller|date=June 17, 2009|access-date=August 31, 2009|publisher=WABC-TV|work=Eyewitness News: Campaigns & Elections}}
They were:
- Melinda Katz, City Council member and former State Assemblywoman
- John Liu, City Council member
- David Weprin, City Council member and former Deputy Superintendent of the New York State Banking Commission
- David Yassky, City Council member
In March 2009, Liu announced that he was running for the post of New York City Comptroller.{{cite news|url=http://www.queenscourier.com/articles/2009/03/11/news/top_stories/doc49b7ee7d239a7385994742.txt|title=John Liu now running for City Comptroller|author=Pete Davis|publisher=The Queens Courier|date=2009-03-11|access-date=2009-03-20|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927163444/http://www.queenscourier.com/articles/2009/03/11/news/top_stories/doc49b7ee7d239a7385994742.txt|archive-date=2011-09-27}} As part of this bid, Liu donated $10,000 to the Working Families Party; they endorsed him less than 6 months later.{{cite news|url=http://www.nypost.com/seven/03222009/news/columnists/family_man_wannabes_helling_out_160771.htm|author=David Seifman|title='Family'-Man Wannabes $helling Out|newspaper=New York Post|access-date=2009-07-09 | date=March 22, 2009}} Liu raised $3 million for his political run, more than his competitors.{{cite news|last=Hicks|first=Jonathan P.|url=http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/09/25/queens-councilman-leaning-toward-comptroller-run/|title=Queens Councilman Leaning Toward Comptroller Run|publisher=New York Times City Page Blog|access-date=2009-07-09 | date=September 25, 2008}}
Beginning in May, Liu picked up several endorsements. The Village Independent Democrats,{{Cite web|url=https://villagedemocrats.org/|title=Village Independent Democrats (VID)|accessdate=December 20, 2022}} The Queens County Democratic organization,Queens Chronicle, May 28, 2009 {{cite web |url=http://www.workingfamiliesparty.org/2009/04/wfp-endorses-councilmember-john-liu-for-comptroller/ |title = Working Families » WFP Endorses Councilmember John Liu for Comptroller |access-date=2009-09-30 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090715234749/http://www.workingfamiliesparty.org/2009/04/wfp-endorses-councilmember-john-liu-for-comptroller/ |archive-date=2009-07-15 }} the local Americans for Democratic Action chapterThe Daily Gotham {{cite web |url=http://dailygotham.com/mole333/blog/americansfordemocraticactionendorsementsforsept15thprimary |title = Americans for Democratic Action Endorsements for Sept. 15th Primary {{!}} The Daily Gotham |access-date=2009-09-30 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101202200303/http://dailygotham.com/mole333/blog/americansfordemocraticactionendorsementsforsept15thprimary |archive-date=2010-12-02 }} and the Working Families Party,April 23, 2009 {{cite web |url=http://www.workingfamiliesparty.org/2009/04/wfp-endorses-councilmember-john-liu-for-comptroller/ |title = Working Families » WFP Endorses Councilmember John Liu for Comptroller |access-date=2009-09-30 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090715234749/http://www.workingfamiliesparty.org/2009/04/wfp-endorses-councilmember-john-liu-for-comptroller/ |archive-date=2009-07-15 }} 1199 SEIU union local and the Uniformed Firefighters Association endorsed him.{{cite news| url=http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/08/31/liu-gains-key-endorsement-in-comptroller-race/?pagemode=print | work=The New York Times | first1=Kareem | last1=Fahim | first2=Julie | last2=Bosman | date=August 31, 2009 | access-date=May 20, 2010 | title=Liu and de Blasio Gain Key Endorsements}} On September 1, the United Federation of Teachers endorsed Liu.{{Citation needed|date=October 2009}}
=Primary election=
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|+ 2009 New York City comptroller election democratic primary debates |
| scope="col" | {{abbr|No.|Number}}
! scope="col" | Date ! scope="col" | Host ! scope="col" | Moderator ! scope="col" | Link ! scope="col"| Democratic ! scope="col"| Democratic ! scope="col"| Democratic ! scope="col"| Democratic |
|---|
| colspan="5" rowspan="2" |Key: {{Colors|black|#90ff90| P }} Participant {{Colors|black|#FFFFDD| A }} Absent {{Colors|black|#ff9090| N }} Not invited {{Colors|black|#CCFFCC| I }} Invited {{color box|#f0e68c|W}} Withdrawn ! scope="col" style="background:{{party color|Democratic Party (US)}}"| ! scope="col" style="background:{{party color|Democratic Party (US)}}"| ! scope="col" style="background:{{party color|Democratic Party (US)}}"| ! scope="col" style="background:{{party color|Democratic Party (US)}}"| |
| scope="col" | Melinda Katz
! scope="col" | John Liu ! scope="col" | David Weprin ! scope="col" | David Yassky |
| 1
| style="white-space:nowrap;" | Aug. 23, 2009 | style="white-space:nowrap;" | League of Women Voters of New York City | style="white-space:nowrap;" | Diana Williams | style="white-space:nowrap;" | [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRfXNqTlLws YouTube] | {{Yes|P}} | {{Yes|P}} | {{Yes|P}} | {{Yes|P}} |
| 2
| style="white-space:nowrap;" | Sep. 10, 2009 | style="white-space:nowrap;" | Citizens Union | style="white-space:nowrap;" | Dominic Carter | style="white-space:nowrap;" | [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipulFFK8ots YouTube] | {{Yes|P}} | {{Yes|P}} | {{Yes|P}} | {{Yes|P}} |
In the September 15 Democratic primary, Liu was the front-runner, ending up with 133,986 votes, or 38 percent of the vote.
=Run-off election=
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|+ 2009 New York City comptroller election democratic primary run-off debate |
| scope="col" | {{abbr|No.|Number}}
! scope="col" | Date ! scope="col" | Host ! scope="col" | Moderator ! scope="col" | Link ! scope="col"| Democratic ! scope="col"| Democratic |
|---|
| colspan="5" rowspan="2" |Key: {{Colors|black|#90ff90| P }} Participant {{Colors|black|#FFFFDD| A }} Absent {{Colors|black|#ff9090| N }} Not invited {{Colors|black|#CCFFCC| I }} Invited {{color box|#f0e68c|W}} Withdrawn ! scope="col" style="background:{{party color|Democratic Party (US)}}"| ! scope="col" style="background:{{party color|Democratic Party (US)}}"| |
| scope="col" | John Liu
! scope="col" | David Yassky |
| 1
| style="white-space:nowrap;" | Sep. 24, 2009 | style="white-space:nowrap;" | New York One | style="white-space:nowrap;" | Diana Williams | style="white-space:nowrap;" | [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HG6Afw8XULM YouTube] | {{Yes|P}} | {{Yes|P}} |
Because he did not manage to reach 40 percent of the vote, a run-off election was required between Liu and runner-up Yassky, who received 30 percent of the vote in the primary.{{Cite web|url=http://www.yournabe.com/articles/2009/09/17/queens_village_times/news/queens_village_times_newshzmhfwa09162009.txt|title=Liu, Yassky head for Comptroller Run-off|date=September 17, 2009}} The Daily News wrote that Yassky and Liu slung mud in a spirited debate on September 24, 2009.{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/election_2009/2009/09/25/2009-09-25_controller_hopefuls_sling_mud_in_debate.html|title=Controller hopefuls John Liu, David Yassky sling mud in debate|date=2009-09-25|newspaper=Daily News|access-date=2009-09-30}} On September 29, Liu won the run-off by taking 55.6% of the vote against Yassky.{{cite news|url=http://www.ny1.com/content/top_stories/106555/de-blasio--liu-claim-victory-in-primary-runoff/Default.aspx|title=De Blasio, Liu Claim Victory In Primary Runoff|date=2009-09-29|publisher=NY1|access-date=2009-09-30|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091003093152/http://www.ny1.com/content/top_stories/106555/de-blasio--liu-claim-victory-in-primary-runoff/Default.aspx|archive-date=2009-10-03}}{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/30/nyregion/30elect.html?ref=todayspaper|title=De Blasio and Liu Win in N.Y. Democratic Runoffs|date=2009-09-29|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=2009-09-30 | first1=Julie | last1=Bosman | first2=Kareem | last2=Fahim}}
Republican nomination
Polling
| class=wikitable style="text-align:center;" width=95%
! Source ! Sample size ! Date | bgcolor=99ccff width=80px|Katz | bgcolor=99ccff width=80px|Liu | bgcolor=99ccff width=80px|Weprin | bgcolor=99ccff width=80px|Yassky ! width=80px|Undecided |
| SurveyUSA[http://www.surveyusa.com/client/PollReport.aspx?g=106d2bbc-8a05-490f-b3e0-cccdfaa83903 SurveyUSA]
| 2,200 | August 14–18, 2009 | 22% | bgcolor=beige|23% | 12% | 15% | 28% |
Election returns
=Democratic primary election=
First round, Tuesday, September 15, 2009{{cite web|url=http://www.vote.nyc.ny.us/pdf/results/2009/Primary/1.22CrossoverDemComptrollerRecap.pdf|title=Statement and Return Report for Certification Primary Election 2009 - 09/15/2009 Crossover - Democratic Party Democratic City Comptroller|publisher=New York City Board of Elections|date=2009-09-25|access-date=2009-11-04|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101122013653/http://vote.nyc.ny.us/pdf/results/2009/Primary/1.22CrossoverDemComptrollerRecap.pdf|archive-date=2010-11-22}}
[[File:2009 New York City comptroller Democratic primary by State Assembly district.svg|thumb|center|Results by State Assembly district
{{collapsible list
|title = {{legend|#86B6F2|Liu}}|{{legend|#D3E7FF|30%–40%}}|{{legend|#B9D7FF|40%–50%}}|{{legend|#86B6F2|50%–60%}}|{{legend|#4389E3|60%–70%}}
}}
{{collapsible list
|title = {{legend|#73D873|Yassky}}|{{legend|#ECFAEC|20%–30%}}|{{legend|#D7F4D7|30%–40%}}|{{legend|#AFE9AF|40%–50%}}|{{legend|#73D873|50%–60%}}
}}
{{collapsible list
|title = {{legend|#FF9955|Katz}}|{{legend|#FFCCAA|30%–40%}}|{{legend|#FFB380|40%–50%}}
}}
{{collapsible list
|title = {{legend|#E27F90|Weprin}}|{{legend|#F2B3BE|40%–50%}}
}}
]]
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right;" width="76%" | |||||||
| align="center" width="20%" style="background:#99ccff;"|2009 Democratic Primary
| align="center" width="8%" style="background:aqua;"|Manhattan | align="center" width="8%" style="background:magenta"|The Bronx | align="center" width="8%" style="background:red"|Brooklyn | align="center" width="8%" style="background:yellow"|Queens | align="center" width="8%" style="background:lime"|Staten | align="center" width="8%" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|Total | align="center" width="8%" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|% | |||||||
| rowspan="2"|John C. Liu | 36,625 | bgcolor=lightgray|18,888 | bgcolor=lightgray|42,727 | bgcolor=lightgray|37,658 | bgcolor=lightgray|4,458 | rowspan="2" bgcolor=e0e0cc|140,356 | rowspan="2" bgcolor=beige|37.8% |
| bgcolor=fefefe
| 32.9% | bgcolor=eaeaea|42.5% | bgcolor=eaeaea|36.8% | bgcolor=eaeaea|43.2% | bgcolor=eaeaea|37.0% | |||
| rowspan="2"|David Yassky | bgcolor=lightgray|44,272 | 9,882 | 40,775 | 16,671 | 3,162 | rowspan="2"|114,762 | rowspan="2" bgcolor=fefefe|30.9% |
| bgcolor=fefefe
| bgcolor=eaeaea|39.8% | 22.2% | 35.1% | 19.1% | 26.3% | |||
| rowspan="2"|Melinda Katz | 21,143 | 11,400 | 20,115 | 20,211 | 3,342 | rowspan="2"|76,211 | rowspan="2" bgcolor=fefefe|20.5% |
| bgcolor=fefefe
| 19.0% | 25.6% | 17.3% | 23.2% | 27.8% | |||
| rowspan="2"|David I. Weprin | 9,223 | 4,285 | 12,366 | 12,630 | 1,077 | rowspan="2"|39,581 | rowspan="2" bgcolor=fefefe|10.7% |
| bgcolor=fefefe
| 8.3% | 9.6% | 10.7% | 14.5% | 8.9% | |||
| all Write-Ins | 14 | 5 | 75 | 10 | 4 | 108 | bgcolor=fefefe|0.03% |
| bgcolor=beige
| bgcolor=efefef|T O T A L | 111,277 | 44,460 | 116,058 | 87,180 | 12,043 | bgcolor=dadaaa|371,018 | bgcolor=efefef| |
Most (about 65) of the 108 write-in votes were for Salim Ejaz, over 40 of which were cast in Brooklyn.
=Democratic primary run-off election=
As no candidate had received 40% of the Democratic vote for this office in the September 15 primary, a run-off election between the two most-popular candidates was held on Tuesday, September 29, 2009.{{cite web|url=http://www.vote.nyc.ny.us/pdf/results/2009/PrimaryRunoff/CityWideComptroller_Recap.pdf|title=Statement and Return Report for Certification Run-off Primary 2009 - 09/29/2009 Crossover - Democratic Party Democratic City Comptroller|publisher=New York City Board of Elections|date=2009-10-20|access-date=2009-11-04|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725025852/http://www.vote.nyc.ny.us/pdf/results/2009/PrimaryRunoff/CityWideComptroller_Recap.pdf|archive-date=2011-07-25}}
[[File:2009 New York City comptroller Democratic primary runoff by State Assembly district.svg|thumb|center|Results by State Assembly district
{{collapsible list
|title = {{legend|#86B6F2|Liu}}|{{legend|#86B6F2|50%–60%}}|{{legend|#4389E3|60%–70%}}|{{legend|#1666CB|70%–80%}}|{{legend|#0645B4|80%–90%}}
}}
{{collapsible list
|title = {{legend|#73D873|Yassky}}|{{legend|#73D873|50%–60%}}|{{legend|#42CA42|60%–70%}}|{{legend|#30A630|70%–80%}}
}}
]]
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right;" width="76%" | |||||||
| align="center" width="20%" style="background:#99ccff;"|2009 Democratic Run-off Primary
| align="center" width="8%" style="background:aqua;"|Manhattan | align="center" width="8%" style="background:magenta"|The Bronx | align="center" width="8%" style="background:red"|Brooklyn | align="center" width="8%" style="background:yellow"|Queens | align="center" width="8%" style="background:lime"|Staten | align="center" width="8%" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|Total | align="center" width="8%" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|% | |||||||
| rowspan="2"|John C. Liu | 36,906 | bgcolor="lightgray"|18,019 | bgcolor="lightgray"|43,120 | bgcolor="lightgray"|33,237 | bgcolor="lightgray"|3,818 | rowspan="2" bgcolor=e0e0cc|135,100 | rowspan="2" bgcolor=beige|56.0% |
| bgcolor=eaeaea
|bgcolor=fefefe|47.6% | 65.2% | 57.1% | 62.0% | 55.6% | |||
| rowspan="2"|David Yassky | bgcolor="lightgray"|40,644 | 9,633 | 32,391 | 20,391 | 3,047 | rowspan="2"|106,106 | rowspan="2" bgcolor=fefefe|44.0% |
| bgcolor=fefefe
|bgcolor=eaeaea|52.4% | 34.8% | 42.9% | 38.0% | 44.4% | |||
| bgcolor=beige
|bgcolor=efefef|T O T A L | 77,550 | 27,652 | 75,511 | 53,628 | 6,865 | bgcolor=dadaaa|241,206 | bgcolor=efefef| |
=General election=
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|+ 2009 New York City comptroller election debate |
| scope="col" | {{abbr|No.|Number}}
! scope="col" | Date ! scope="col" | Host ! scope="col" | Moderator ! scope="col" | Link ! scope="col"| Democratic ! scope="col"| Rent Is Too Damn High |
|---|
| colspan="5" rowspan="2" |Key: {{Colors|black|#90ff90| P }} Participant {{Colors|black|#FFFFDD| A }} Absent {{Colors|black|#ff9090| N }} Not invited {{Colors|black|#CCFFCC| I }} Invited {{color box|#f0e68c|W}} Withdrawn ! scope="col" style="background:{{party color|Democratic Party (US)}}"| ! scope="col" style="background:{{party color|Rent Is Too Damn High Party}}"| |
| scope="col" | John Liu
! scope="col" | Salim Ejaz |
| 1
| style="white-space:nowrap;" | Oct. 18, 2009 | style="white-space:nowrap;" | League of Women Voters of New York City | style="white-space:nowrap;" | Diana Williams | style="white-space:nowrap;" | [https://www.c-span.org/program/public-affairs-event/new-york-mayors-debate/108168 C-SPAN] | {{Yes|P}} | {{Yes|P}} |
John Liu won the general election held on Tuesday, November 3, 2009.
| class="wikitable" width="100%" style="text-align:right"
| width="20%" align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0f0"|2009 general election | width="20%" align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0f0"|party | width="8%" align="center" bgcolor="aqua"|Manhattan | width="8%" align="center" bgcolor="magenta"|The Bronx | width="8%" align="center" bgcolor="red"|Brooklyn | width="8%" align="center" bgcolor="yellow"|Queens | width="8%" align="center" bgcolor="lime"| Staten Island | width="8%" align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0f0"|Total | width="6%" align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0f0"|% | ||||||||
| rowspan="4"|John C. Liu | bgcolor="#99CCFF"|Democratic | 191,748 | 95,795 | 203,499 | 180,249 | 33,242 | 704,533 | bgcolor=fefefe|72.2% |
| Working Families Party | 12,635 | 3,404 | 18,641 | 8,811 | 2,310 | 45,801 | bgcolor=fefefe|4.7% | |
| rowspan="2"|Total | bgcolor=e0e0dd|204,383 | bgcolor=e0e0dd|99,199 | bgcolor=e0e0dd|222,140 | bgcolor=e0e0dd|189,060 | bgcolor=e0e0dd|35,552 | rowspan="2" bgcolor=e0e0cc|750,334 | rowspan="2" bgcolor=e8e8d8|76.9% | |
| bgcolor=eaeae5
| 81.0% | 83.7% | 80.0% | 73.5% | 50.5% | ||||
| rowspan="2"|Joseph A. Mendola | rowspan="2" bgcolor=pink|Republican | 39,103 | 15,166 | 43,718 | 57,266 | 29,803 | rowspan="2"|185,056 | rowspan="2" bgcolor=fefefe|19.0% |
| bgcolor=fefefe
| 15.5% | 12.8% | 15.7% | 22.3% | 42.3% | ||||
| rowspan="2"|Stuart Avrick | rowspan="2" bgcolor="#ff9966"|Conservative | |3,325 | 2,119 | 6,439 | 6,818 | 3,930 | rowspan="2"|22,631 | rowspan="2" bgcolor=fefefe|2.3% |
| bgcolor=fefefe
| 1.3% | 1.8% | 2.3% | 2.7% | 5.6% | ||||
| Salim Ejaz | Rent Is Too High | 3,614 | 1,569 | 3,422 | 2,607 | 691 | 11,903 | bgcolor= #C9A0DC|1.2% |
| John Clifton | Libertarian | 2,022 | 525 | 1,946 | 1,488 | 389 | 6,370 | bgcolor=#EEDC82|0.7% |
| colspan="2" align=center|Total Write-ins | 15 | 7 | 20 | 14 | 10 | 66 | bgcolor=fefefe|0.01% | |
| bgcolor=beige
| colspan="2" align=center|Total Votes | 252,462 | 118,585 | 277,685 | 257,253 | 70,375 | bgcolor=khaki|976,360 |
Source: Board of Elections in the City of New York [http://www.vote.nyc.ny.us/results.html ] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100106085915/http://www.vote.nyc.ny.us/results.html |date=January 6, 2010 }}
See also
References
{{reflist}}
{{NY2009elections}}
{{2009 United States elections}}
{{New York elections}}