De Blasio On NYC Mayor Primary Results: 'I Feel Satisfied'

New York City NY

23 June, 2021

11:44 AM

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NEW YORK CITY — The race to replace Mayor Bill de Blasio isn't quite over yet, but Hizzoner is happy with the results from Tuesday's primary. "I feel satisfied," he said Wednesday during his daily briefing. De Blasio deliberately focused on the positives from New York City's first wide ranked-choice voting election. Turnout was relatively strong with more than 944,000 total votes, and potentially more absentee votes rolling in, he said. And de Blasio also offered rosy assessments of three Democrats — Eric Adams, Maya Wiley and Kathryn Garcia — who took the top three spots in first-choice votes and likely will vie for the ultimate prize in ranked-choice counts. "They're all good people," he said. "They're all people that I've had close working relationships with. I think one way or another, New York City will be in good hands." The trio didn't offer the same warm assessment of de Blasio, at least while on the campaign trail. None volunteered that they would seek his endorsement. Adams, who earned the most first-choice votes, is widely seen as de Blasio's personal choice as successor, although the mayor has taken pains to avoid saying so publicly. De Blasio on Wednesday offered that he thought Adams's voters — largely working class people based in Brooklyn and other so-called "outer boroughs" — were similar to the coalition of ballot casters who first sent him to Gracie Mansion in 2013. He also pushed back on criticisms that Adams would be a step back on police reform or bring back stop-and-frisk. But he stopped short of passing his mantle to Adams. "The voting is over, but now the counting begins," he said. The first round of ranked-choice vote counts begins June 29. Then absentee votes will be tabulated on July 6. July 12 is the earliest date ranked-choice voting rounds will be completed and certified.