NEW YORK — Billionaire Michael Bloomberg narrowly defeated consumer activist Mark Green on Tuesday, ending a bitter and expensive mayoral contest for the chance to lead New York City’s recovery from the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
A Republican and political newcomer, Bloomberg spent more than any mayoral candidate in history–an estimated $50 million of his own money–in an upset win to succeed popular Republican Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, who was barred by term limits from running again.
“This is our victory,” Bloomberg told supporters early Wednesday. “A victory for our vision and faith in the greatest city in the world”
Green, who fills the elected city post of public advocate, failed to reclaim City Hall for Democrats in a city where registered Republicans are outnumbered 5-1.
An early front-runner in public opinion polls, Green saw his advantage vanish in the campaign’s last weeks.
The 59-year-old Bloomberg drew even with Green following an endorsement on Oct. 27 from Giuliani, whose popularity soared with his handling of the attacks on the World Trade Center.
With nearly all of the votes counted early Wednesday, Bloomberg was leading Green, 711,189 to 670,413.
Green conceded defeat shortly after midnight. “We gave it our all, we really did. But it wasn’t enough,” he told supporters. “I wish we had a better result for you to cheer.”
Picking up energy in recent days, the once-sleepy mayoral race entered Election Day with the candidates neck and neck. A Marist Institute poll released the night before the voting showed both Green and Bloomberg with 47 percent support, while 6 percent of voters were undecided.
The furious final days featured sharp attacks from both candidates. Green blasted his opponent for past membership in all-white clubs and brought up allegations of sexual harassment in a 1997 lawsuit.
Bloomberg called Green’s tactics “desperate,” while blitzing the airwaves with ads showing prominent Democrats criticizing Green.
The political tussling obscured serious issues facing the city since the terrorist attacks that left an estimated 4,000 people dead. Officials estimate the total economic cost at more than $100 billion, promising the next administration will face a budget shortfall, mounting unemployment and a massive reconstruction project.
Early exit polls Tuesday showed voters who supported both candidates considered the economy and jobs the most important issue in the campaign, according to Edison Media Research.
Polls also showed Green was hurt by weak support among Hispanics. That may have reflected a rift with fellow Democrats, following a contentious primary victory over Bronx Borough President Fernando Ferrer, who had sought to become the city’s first Puerto Rican mayor.
Ferrer and other Bronx Democrats, including Al Sharpton, were absent from the final days of Green’s campaign, and pre-election polls showed Green’s support slipping among black and Hispanic voters.
Bloomberg cast himself as the best manager for the city’s future, based on the success of his media empire, Bloomberg LP.
Once virtually unknown to voters, Bloomberg skipped the city’s campaign finance system, which limits spending, and instead poured millions of dollars of his own money into television advertisements, mailings and phone messages.
With $41 million spent even before a final advertising blitz, Bloomberg far outspent other U.S. mayoral candidates, including former Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan, who spent more than $6 million of his own money.
Bloomberg becomes the first Republican in the city’s history to retain City Hall following another GOP mayor.
Giuliani, a former prosecutor, has not indicated his plans after he leaves office Dec. 31.
