Election Cheat Sheet
During the past few months, these papers have provided ongoing coverage of the various candidates vying for office this fall, as well as overviews of the mayor’s race focused on a different topic each month. To help readers before they head to the polls on Sept. 15, we’ve created a simplified roundup for each candidate in the Democratic Primary. Read more
VOTE WITH YOUR FEET, ON BUS OR TRAIN
Race, gender and income level are strong indicators of whom a Manhattan voter chooses in a Democratic primary, but one pollster is looking at the borough’s commuters for a clue.
Pollster Matthew Weaver, of Bronstein & Weaver Inc., broke down the borough’s 2005 Democratic primary and noted how areas with a lot of bus commuters, train riders and car drivers voted in each election district. Weaver did similar studies in other races throughout the country, he said, but found that the pattern is prominent in Manhattan.
“This is a level deeper, to try to categorize people who otherwise may be very similar in their demographics, but very dissimilar in other areas of their lifestyle, such as commuting and how far you commute,” Weaver said.
In the 2005 race between District Attorney Robert Morgenthau and Leslie Crocker Snyder, Weaver saw that bus and train commuters preferred the challenger whereas the incumbent scored with voters who have a 30-minute commute.
In the 2005 mayoral primary, victor Fernando Ferrer was popular among bus and train commuters while runner-up Rep. Anthony Weiner was a hit with car drivers.
“It should force [candidates] to redefine to what they see as relevant interest groups, and relevant target strategies in terms of spending,” Weaver said.
Decision ’09: Primary Profiles
With two major citywide races and one Manhattan-wide contest this September, Democratic primary voters could be forgiven for feeling a little overwhelmed. On primary day, a total of 11 candidates will vie for three high-profile positions: city comptroller, public advocate and Manhattan district attorney. This week we continue a series of profiles featuring one candidate from the comptroller, public advocate and district attorney races. Read more
The Next D.A.
The Democratic hopefuls for Manhattan district attorney have similar policies on crime prevention, alternative sentencing and building community coalitions. And they are all alumni of the 89-year-old Robert Morgenthau’s office.
But in the months before the September primary, each has highlighted a different background to illustrate why they are the right person to run the highest profile district attorney’s office in the state. Read more
