Bloomberg Re-Elected Mayor in N.Y., Menino in Boston; Foxx in Charlotte

Mary C. Curtis

National Correspondent

Posted:

11/3/09

It's not just statewide races that drew interest and scrutiny in this year's test of voters' temperament. Mayors' races in big cities across the country also made news. These include contests in Atlanta, Charlotte, New York, Houston, and Boston.

Atlanta:

Though Atlanta citizens are concerned about crime and the city's financial accounting problems, race is a visible reason national poll watchers have focused on the mayoral contest. Mary Norwood, an at-large member of the City Council for eight years, has a chance to become the first white mayor of Atlanta since 1974, when Maynard Jackson was elected. But though she came in first Tuesday, her 46 percent of the vote was short of the 50 percent necessary to win outright, and will have to face second-place finisher state Sen. Kasim Reed in a December runoff.

Business executive and City Council President Lisa Borders finished third. Polls taken close to Election Day had shown Norwood leading by 20 percentage polls, with support across racial lines. But the final vote tightened. Race may play a part in the runoff.

Norwood, who lives in the predominantly white, affluent Buckhead area, was criticized in campaign ads late in the race for voting more often in Republican than Democratic primaries. Cast as a closet Republican, she countered with an ad saying she had voted for President Obama, Sen. John F. Kerry, Al Gore, President Clinton and independent Ross Perot. Reed, who has used social media throughout his campaign, was endorsed by Jackson's daughter, Brooke Jackson-Edmond, and former U.N. Ambassador Andrew Young. Atlanta-based rapper Ludacris also tweeted his support of Reed.

Charlotte, N.C.:

Democrat Anthony Foxx became the city's second black mayor after Harvey Gantt, who served from 1983 to 1987. In a nod to history, Gantt introduced the new mayor at his late-night victory rally.

The 38-year-old Foxx steps into the job Republican Pat McCrory, who did not run, has held for 14 years. Foxx's election means a Democrat will serve in the city's top spot for the first time in 22 years. He defeated Republican John Lassiter, 55. Both candidates gave up City Council seats and set out a new vision for a city that's facing high unemployment and a slowdown in its once-booming financial sector, led by banks.

Both had promised to support small business efforts and to allay public safety concerns by increasing support for police. They also said they would encourage diversifying the city's economic development in areas such as energy, health care and technology. In the campaign, Foxx talked about his up-from-adversity background growing up in Charlotte, and how it would help him revive the civic spirit that would lift even the most challenged parts of the city. Lassiter, who previously served on the Board of Education and the Planning Commission, emphasized his experience, business-owner background and ability to stay within a budget.

Lassiter criticized Foxx for getting some of his campaign money from outside the state, while Foxx criticized Lassiter for getting 20 percent of his money from developers. The Democratic National Committee has been interested in Foxx as a possible future player in national Democratic politics, but pre-election polls showed a close race. Unofficial results with almost all the votes counted showed a margin of about 3,000 votes out of more than 106,000 cast.

New York:

Michael R. Bloomberg has won a third term as mayor of New York City, in a surprisingly close race. With 97 percent of precincts reporting, The New York Times said Bloomberg was narrowly leading Comptroller William C. Thompson Jr., his Democratic rival, 50.5 percent to 46.1 percent. "The mayor was projected to win by a much thinner margin than in 2005 -- when he thoroughly trounced Fernando Ferrer -- than many had anticipated." The 67-year-old Bloomberg, an independent, ran on the Republican line.

With high unemployment and the city's budget deficit topping $5 billion, Thompson painted a picture of two New Yorks -- one for the rich and one for those who are struggling -- while Bloomberg touted the success of small businesses. During the campaign, there was some resentment over Bloomberg's expensive campaign -- he spent some $90 million of his considerable fortune -- and his push to eliminate term limits that would have restricted him to two terms. His opponent spent about a tenth of that on his campaign.

Houston:

Annise Parker, Houston City comptroller, could still become the first openly gay woman elected mayor of a major American city. But first, she will have to survive a runoff with former City Attorney Gene Locke.

With more than 90 percent of the precincts reporting, Parker had about 30.5 percent of the vote, according to the Houston Chronicle, followed by Locke with 25.6 percent. City Councilman Peter Brown -- who spent close to $3 million of his family's money in the campaign -- was third with 22.6 percent, and Harris County Board of Education Trustee Roy Morales, in a surprisingly strong showing considering pre-election polls, was fourth with 20.3 percent. Morales was the only Republican candidate in the race.

Bill White, the popular current mayor, is leaving to run for the U.S. Senate.

Boston:

In the most expensive mayoral campaign in Boston history, incumbent Thomas Menino -- in office for 16 years -- easily won an unprecedented fifth term. He spent $2 million to defeat Councilor at Large Michael F. Flaherty Jr., who spent $1.3 million. "The win puts Menino in league with a handful of legendary urban titans who have towered over their cities for decades, including Mayor Richard M. Daley of Chicago, who has been in office for 20 years," said The Boston Globe. Flaherty's alliance with Councilor at Large Sam Yoon failed to make a dent in the 66-year-old Menino's political machine.

Among the problems the mayor faces: concerns over the quality of Boston schools and a financial crisis caused by a sharp drop in tax revenues during the recession.