Bloomberg re-elected New York mayor

NEW YORK - Republican New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg was re-elected to a second term by a large margin after what is believed to be the most costly race in the city's history.

With some 95 per cent of the votes counted, Bloomberg had 58 per cent and Democratic challenger Fernando Ferrer trailed with 39 per cent, according to unofficial election results.

Polls have shown New Yorkers giving Bloomberg, a political novice when he first ran four years ago, high marks for leading the city in the wake of the September 11, 2001 attacks, steering the economy and keeping New York alert to security threats.

"Still in shock, still in mourning, we really did four years ago worry about our future. Some wondered whether we'd even have one," Bloomberg said in his victory speech in a Manhattan hotel.

"But that night we told the world that New York was alive and well and open for business, and today the world knows New York City is back in business.

"I have never forgotten that in that dark hour you had faith in me," he added. Bloomberg first was elected by a narrow margin in 2001 just weeks after two hijacked jets smashed into the World Trade Center, killing almost 3,000 people.

Spending his own money on this campaign as he did in 2001, Bloomberg outspent Ferrer, a former Bronx borough president, by eight to one.

Experts estimate when all is accounted for, Bloomberg will have spent US$80 million to US$100 million to defeat Ferrer, who trailed in polls by as much as 38 points.

Bloomberg is the founder of Bloomberg LP, a news and financial-information services company. A long-time Democrat, he switched parties in 2001 to run in the less-crowded Republican field, but his views stayed along more liberal lines, an asset in a city where Democrats outnumber Republicans five to one.

It is unusual for a New York mayor not to win a second term, unless the city is facing a crisis. Most recently, high crime rates plagued the administration of single-term Democratic Mayor David Dinkins, who was defeated in 1993.

- REUTERS