BLACK AND LATINO VOTERS GIVE BLOOMBERG A GOP VICTORY IN NEW YORK MAYOR'S RACE
By: Derry Watkins

New York, NY -- Billionaire Republican Mayoral Candidate Michael Bloomberg won a dramatic election victory over Democrat Mark Green in New York's November 6, 2001 mayoral election. Spending an estimated $50 million of his own money in the most expensive mayoral campaign in U.S. history, Bloomberg overcame a double-digit lead by Green and won the Mayor's job with 719,819 or 50% of the votes cast. Green had 676,560 or 47% of the votes cast.

Democrats outnumber Republicans 5 to 1 in New York City. Bloomberg, a Democrat-turned-Republican, trailed Green throughout the campaign. Bloomberg received incumbent Mayor Rudolph Giuliani's endorsement in the days leading up to the election. Giuliani cut television commercials for Bloomberg and attended numerous campaign events in his support. Giuliani's popularity clearly rubbed off on Bloomberg.

As Election Day neared, Green found himself in an unexpected battle for black and Hispanic voters who are traditional Democratic voting groups. A heavy defection of Hispanic voters from the Democratic Party, together with a strong showing among black voters and white liberals, helped to propel Michael Bloomberg to victory.

Exit polls found Green and Bloomberg running almost even among Hispanic voters. Only 7 in 10 black voters supported Green. Democratic strategists had expected Green to garner 90% of the black vote. Bloomberg also received the majority of the white votes cast.

Green's campaign aides were surprised by his poor showing in Hispanic and black neighborhoods. The defection of Latino and black voters from the democratic ranks has been growing in recent years.

Bloomberg, who is 59, has never held an elected office. His election means Republicans will control New York City Hall for another four years. Giuliani will step down on December 31st because of a term-limits law in New York.