NEW YORK – Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer was running ahead of ex-Gov. Eliot Spitzer in the Democratic primary for city comptroller as voting places closed Tuesday, according to exit poll interviews with voters as they left their precincts.
No official returns were yet available. Edison Media Research conducted exit polls for the Associated Press and other news organizations.
Since Spitzer’s abrupt decision in July to run, the two have been locked in one of the fiercest political wrestling matches in the city this year.
Spitzer is seeking a comeback five years after resigning as governor and acknowledging he patronized prostitutes. Stringer is striving to capture a nomination he once expected to snag easily.
Spitzer, who was never charged with any crime, asked voters to focus on his record as a hard-charging governor and state attorney general. He was dubbed “the sheriff of Wall Street” for his financial investigations.
That resonated with Paulette Esrig, 81, a retired schoolteacher who voted for him Tuesday at a precinct in Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood.
“I picked him not because I approve of his personal life at all, but I felt he was well-qualified,” she said.
But other voters said Spitzer’s past scandal drove them to pull levers for Stringer, even if they didn’t know much about him despite his 20 years as borough president and a former state assemblyman.
“He’s not my favorite, but I think Spitzer is an abomination,” said Jullian Stark, 55, a college biology professor, who also voted in Chelsea.
Stringer says he has mastered both fighting for causes and forging compromises during his years in public office.
And he has urged New Yorkers not to forgive or forget his opponent’s personal misdeeds.
“I didn’t resign in disgrace,” Stringer said at a candidate forum last week.
Earlier, his campaign sent voters a mailer highlighting Spitzer’s involvement with prostitutes and featuring a photo of prison bars.
“If this public wants someone who makes a difference, they know who they’re going to vote for,” Spitzer responded at the forum, organized by the Council of Urban Professionals, a networking group. Spitzer’s aides have sent reporters emails mocking Stringer for proclaiming a Justin Bieber appreciation day last year.
Spitzer had double-digit leads in some polls as recently as two weeks ago. But polls Sunday and Monday showed the candidates about even or Stringer slightly ahead.
The winner will face a Republican and other opponents Nov. 5.
No official returns were yet available. Edison Media Research conducted exit polls for the Associated Press and other news organizations.
Since Spitzer’s abrupt decision in July to run, the two have been locked in one of the fiercest political wrestling matches in the city this year.
Spitzer is seeking a comeback five years after resigning as governor and acknowledging he patronized prostitutes. Stringer is striving to capture a nomination he once expected to snag easily.
Spitzer, who was never charged with any crime, asked voters to focus on his record as a hard-charging governor and state attorney general. He was dubbed “the sheriff of Wall Street” for his financial investigations.
That resonated with Paulette Esrig, 81, a retired schoolteacher who voted for him Tuesday at a precinct in Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood.
“I picked him not because I approve of his personal life at all, but I felt he was well-qualified,” she said.
But other voters said Spitzer’s past scandal drove them to pull levers for Stringer, even if they didn’t know much about him despite his 20 years as borough president and a former state assemblyman.
“He’s not my favorite, but I think Spitzer is an abomination,” said Jullian Stark, 55, a college biology professor, who also voted in Chelsea.
Stringer says he has mastered both fighting for causes and forging compromises during his years in public office.
And he has urged New Yorkers not to forgive or forget his opponent’s personal misdeeds.
“I didn’t resign in disgrace,” Stringer said at a candidate forum last week.
Earlier, his campaign sent voters a mailer highlighting Spitzer’s involvement with prostitutes and featuring a photo of prison bars.
“If this public wants someone who makes a difference, they know who they’re going to vote for,” Spitzer responded at the forum, organized by the Council of Urban Professionals, a networking group. Spitzer’s aides have sent reporters emails mocking Stringer for proclaiming a Justin Bieber appreciation day last year.
Spitzer had double-digit leads in some polls as recently as two weeks ago. But polls Sunday and Monday showed the candidates about even or Stringer slightly ahead.
The winner will face a Republican and other opponents Nov. 5.