2005 New York City mayoral election

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2005 New York City mayoral election
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←  2001 November 8, 2005 2009  →
  Mayor Michael Bloomberg (cropped).jpg Fernando Ferrer crop.jpg
Nominee Michael Bloomberg Fernando Ferrer
Party Republican Democratic
Alliance Liberal
Independence 		Working Families [a]
Popular vote753,090503,219
Percentage58.4%39.0%
NYC Mayoral Election 2005 Results by Borough.svg
2005 New York City mayoral election results by State Assembly district.svg
2005 New York City Mayoral General Election Results by Precinct.svg
Bloomberg:      40–50%     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90%     >90%
Ferrer:      40–50%     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90%     >90%
Tie:      40–50%     50%     No data
Mayor before election

Michael Bloomberg
Republican

Elected Mayor

Michael Bloomberg
Republican

The 2005 New York City mayoral election occurred on Tuesday, November 8, 2005, with incumbent Republican mayor Michael Bloomberg soundly defeating former Bronx borough president Fernando Ferrer, the Democratic nominee. Several third-party candidates also ran for mayor. In July, mayoral candidates filed nominating petitions with the City Board of Elections.

Contents

Bloomberg won four of the five boroughs, the exception being the Bronx. He flipped the boroughs of Manhattan and Brooklyn. As of 2024, the 2005 election was the last time a Republican was elected mayor of New York City, and the last time a Republican line carried Brooklyn. Bloomberg left the Republican Party in 2007 to register as an independent, though he was nominated for re-election by the Republican Party in 2009.

Republican primary

Candidates

Campaign

Tom Ognibene ran on a platform supporting tax cuts, education reform and opposed Mayor Bloomberg's smoking ban. He was expected to win the endorsement of the Conservative Party. [1] He received 8,100 signatures, 600 more than the necessary 7,500 signatures to appear on the primary ballot. However, the Bloomberg campaign challenged many signatures, leaving Ognibene with 5,848 eligible signatures and forcing him off the ballot. On August 25, a federal judge refused to allow Ognibene on Republican ballot.

The first television ads were launched in English and Spanish by the Bloomberg campaign on May 18.

Endorsements

Ognibene was endorsed by the leaders of the Queens County Republican Committee on February 10.

Aftermath

Ognibene challenged the Republican nomination in a hearing on Thursday, August 25, but his challenge was unsuccessful.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Declined

Campaign

On August 3, Fernando Ferrer began running campaign advertisements. On August 12, the Gifford Miller campaign launched their own television ads. The Democratic candidates held their first debate on August 16. The Anthony Weiner campaign launched television ads on August 19, the same day voter registration for the primary elections ended. The Democratic candidates held their second televised debate on August 21; the live debate was sponsored by WCBS and The New York Times .

Endorsements

On September 1, Fernando Ferrer was endorsed by City Comptroller Bill Thompson and ACORN. On September 3, The New York Times endorsed Ferrer in the Democratic primary. The Democratic candidates held two final debates with the first on WNBC on September 7 and on WABC on September 8. On September 10, Reverend Al Sharpton endorsed Ferrer.

Prior to the primary, Ferrer was endorsed by New York state attorney general Eliot Spitzer, Carl McCall, Geraldine Ferraro, Sheldon Silver, the Transport Workers Union, Bronx borough president Adolfo Carrión Jr. and Ruth Messinger. Ferrer was also endorsed by Representatives Joseph Crowley, Gregory Meeks, Major Owens, José E. Serrano, Edolphus Towns and Nydia Velázquez.

Debate

2005 New York City mayoral election democratic primary debate
No.DateHostModeratorLink Democratic Democratic Democratic Democratic
Key:
 P Participant  A Absent  N Not invited  I Invited  W  Withdrawn
Fernando Ferrer C. Virginia Fields Gifford Miller Anthony Weiner
1Sep. 16, 2005 New York 1
New York 1 Noticias
New York City Campaign Finance Board
New York Newsday
WNYC 		Dominic Carter YouTube PPPP

Results

Democratic primary election results [3]
Total votes: 478,818
Borough Fernando
Ferrer 		Anthony
Weiner 		C. Virginia
Fields 		Gifford
Miller 		Christopher X.
Brodeur 		Arthur
Piccolo		 Michael
Bloomberg
(write-in)		Other
write-in
Manhattan
56,579
46,668
24,856
22,075
5,667
1,388
95
The Bronx
50,088
11,422
10,381
3,491
4,942
938
13
Brooklyn
50,068
41,358
25,612
14,324
3,724
1,963
9
Queens
32,506
34,028
13,918
7,956
2,054
1,175
1
Staten Island
3,021
5,441
1,059
1,669
174
120
3
Total
192,262
138,917
75,826
49,515
16,561
5,584
121
32

The Democratic primary was held on Tuesday, September 13, with initial returns showing Fernando Ferrer receiving 39.95% of the votes, just short of the 40% needed to avoid a run-off with second-place Anthony Weiner. Despite at first seeming poised to continue, the next morning Weiner conceded the election to Ferrer. However, the city election board insisted on proceeding with a $12 million election scheduled for Tuesday, September 27, with an additional debate even planned. This prompted a lawsuit supported by both candidates to prevent the election, the circumstance of which was avoided by a final count giving Ferrer just slightly over 40% of the vote.

Other nominations

Conservative

Despite his removal from the Republican primary, Tom Ognibene ran as the Conservative Party nominee.

Independence

On May 28, the Independence Party endorsed Michael Bloomberg for re-election.

Liberal

The Liberal Party of New York endorsed Bloomberg.

Green

Manhattan College history professor Anthony Gronowicz was the Green Party's mayoral nominee. Gronowicz sought to strengthen affordable housing, supported renewable sources of energy and sought to provide free tuition to City University of New York. He was featured in an article in The Villager. [4]

Libertarian

Audrey Silk, a former NYPD officer, community activist and founder of NYC Citizens Lobbying Against Smoker Harassment, was nominated by the party on April 16, 2005. [5]

General election

Candidates

Campaign

Issues in the 2005 mayoral race included education, taxes, crime, transportation, public housing, homeland security funding, and the city budget. One prominent issue throughout 2005 was New York's bid for the 2012 Olympic Games, as New York City was one of the finalists to serve as host city. On June 6, the planned West Side Stadium was defeated by the Public Authorities Control Board when Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and State Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno refused to vote for it. As a result, the new Mets ballpark, later Citi Field, had been supported by Mayor Bloomberg as the centerpiece of the revised bid. On July 6, the IOC awarded London with the 2012 Summer Olympics.

On October 23, Ferrer proposed Home Owner Property Exemption, or HOPE, a tax break for homeowners with a home property value of less than $100,000. [6]

On October 6, a mayoral debate was held at the Apollo Theater from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. with Fernando Ferrer and Tom Ognibene; Mayor Michael Bloomberg was absent. The last day for voter registration for the general election was October 14, 2005. The first mayoral debate between Fernando Ferrer and Mike Bloomberg was held on October 30, and broadcast on WABC. Ferrer and Bloomberg debated each other again on November 1, at a debate sponsored by WNBC and the New York City Campaign Finance Board.

The general election was held on Tuesday, November 8. Members of the New York City Council, as well as the offices of borough president, city comptroller, public advocate, and district attorney, were also up for election. At 10:30 p.m. on November 8, Fernando Ferrer conceded the election to Michael Bloomberg in a speech at the Waldorf-Astoria hotel. Bloomberg was sworn in for a second term on January 1, 2006.

Endorsements

Bloomberg was endorsed by former mayors Rudy Giuliani and Ed Koch, Jeanine Pirro, Herman Badillo, former congressman Reverend Floyd Flake, Reverend Calvin Butts, and many prominent local Democrats who chose to cross party lines.

On October 23, Bloomberg was endorsed by both Newsday and The New York Times for the general election. The Times wrote that Bloomberg could be "one of the greatest mayors in New York history"; however, The Times editorial board criticized "his 'obscene' unlimited spending on his political campaigns", creating an "uneven playing field". [7]

After winning the Democratic nomination, Ferrer was endorsed by Senators Chuck Schumer and Hillary Clinton on September 16. On September 19, Ferrer received the endorsement of SEIU Local 1199. He was endorsed by former mayor David Dinkins on September 23. Ferrer was endorsed by the Working Families Party on September 27, but did not appear on the Working Families Party line on Election Day. Andrew Cuomo endorsed Ferrer on September 29. On October 20, Ferrer campaigned with Bill Clinton on Charlotte Street in the South Bronx.

Polling

SourceDateSample sizeMargin of errorFerrer (D)Bloomberg (R)
Quinnipiac University [8] November 10, 20041,221 RV± 2.8%45%40%
Quinnipiac University [9] January 19, 20051,027 RV± 3.1%43%43%
Quinnipiac University [10] March 2, 20051,435 RV± 2.6%47%39%
Marist College [11] March 23, 200549%42%
Quinnipiac University [12] March 30, 20051,371 RV± 2.7%46%40%
Marist College [13] April 27, 200538%51%
Marist College [13] April 27, 200538%51%
Quinnipiac University [14] May 11, 20051,169 RV± 2.9%38%47%
Marist College [15] June 10, 200546%45%
Quinnipiac University [16] June 22, 20051,780 RV± 2.3%37%50%
Quinnipiac University [17] July 19, 20051,313 RV± 2.7%36%52%
Marist College [18] July 22, 200536%52%
Marist College [19] August 9, 200536%52%
The New York Times [20] August 22–28, 2005718 RV± 5.0%32%54%
Quinnipiac University [21] September 20, 200538%52%
Marist College [22] September 27, 2005774 LV± 3.5%38%53%
Marist College [23] October 12, 200532%59%
Quinnipiac University [24] October 12, 2005725 LV± 3.6%32%60%
Quinnipiac University [25] October 25, 200530%61%
Pace University [26] October 27, 200527%58%
The New York Times [27] October 21–26, 2005758 RV± 4.0%30%57%
Marist College [28] November 1, 200531%62%
Quinnipiac University [29] November 1, 2005742 LV± 3.6%31%59%
Marist College [30] November 4, 200530%64%
Quinnipiac University [31] November 7, 2005712 LV± 3.7%30%68%

Debates

2005 New York City mayoral election debates
No.DateHostModeratorLink Democratic Democratic
Key:
 P Participant  A Absent  N Not invited  I Invited  W  Withdrawn
Michael Bloomberg Fernando Ferrer
1Oct. 6, 2005 New York 1
New York 1 Noticias
New York City Campaign Finance Board
New York Newsday
WNYC 		Dominic Carter YouTube PP
2Nov. 1, 2005 New York City Campaign Finance Board
WNBC 		Gabe Pressman YouTube PP

Results

Results of the 2005 New York City mayoral election [32]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican/Liberal Michael Bloomberg678,44452.6
Independence Michael Bloomberg74,6455.8
Total Michael Bloomberg (incumbent) 753,089 58.4 +8.1
Democratic Fernando Ferrer 503,21939.0−8.9
Conservative Thomas Ognibene 14,6301.1+0.9
Green Anthony Gronowicz8,2970.6+0.1
Rent Is Too Damn High Jimmy McMillan 4,1110.3+0.3
Libertarian Audrey Silk2,8880.2+0.1
Socialist Workers Martin Koppel 2,2560.2+0.2
EducationSeth Blum1,1760.1+0.1
Write-Ins2690.02+0.02
Majority249,87019.4+17.0
Turnout 1,289,935
Republican hold Swing +8.5

Results by borough

Results by borough of the 2005 New York City mayoral election [32]
Manhattan The Bronx Brooklyn Queens Staten Island Total
Bloomberg–Green margin (2001) −22,777−21,683−28,182+46,904+61,227+35,489
Bloomberg–Ferrer margin +76,197−41,317+69,441+95,030+50,523+249,871
        
Republican–Liberal Michael Bloomberg171,59369,577189,040184,42663,267678,444
Independence Michael Bloomberg25,4166,84020,14117,6894,55974,645
Combined total Michael Bloomberg 197,01076,417209,723202,11667,827753,090
  60.4%38.8%58.2%63.5%76.7%58.4%
Democratic Fernando Ferrer 120,813117,734140,282107,08617,304503,219
  37.0%59.8%39.0%33.6%19.6%39.0%
Conservative Thomas Ognibene 1,7291,1853,5735,6452,49814,630
Green Anthony Gronowicz3,1954663,1121,2852398,297
Rent Is Too Damn High Jimmy McMillan1,3694741,2937991764,111
Libertarian Audrey Silk9912348416172052,888
Socialist Workers Martin Koppel 7582317663841172,256
EducationSeth Blum322131382264771,176
write-ins 1091905712269
T O T A L326,295196,873360,061318,25288,454 
1,289,935

Notes

  1. ↑ Ferrer was endorsed by the Working Families Party, but this endorsement did not appear on the ballot.

References

  1. ↑ "Ognibene Is Seen As the Favorite Of Conservatives". The New York Sun.
  2. ↑ Rutenberg, Jim (April 20, 2005). "After Brief Flirtation, Kerrey Decides Not to Run for Mayor" . New York Times. Archived from the original on March 23, 2025. Retrieved March 23, 2025.
  3. ↑ "Results of 2005 Democratic Primary Election for Mayor of New York City" (PDF). Retrieved February 19, 2022.
  4. ↑ "It's not easy being Green: Gronowicz runs for mayor". December 26, 2005. Archived from the original on December 26, 2005.
  5. ↑ "LIBERTARIANS NOMINATE AUDREY SILK AS MAYORAL CANDIDATE". April 30, 2005. Archived from the original on April 30, 2005.
  6. ↑ McIntire, Mike; Rutenberg, Jim (October 24, 2005). "Ferrer Offers a Tax Break for Less Expensive Homes". The New York Times– via NYTimes.com.
  7. ↑ Healy, Patrick D. (October 23, 2005). "Times Endorses Mayor Bloomberg for Re-election". The New York Times– via NYTimes.com.
  8. ↑ Quinnipiac University
  9. ↑ Quinnipiac University
  10. ↑ Quinnipiac University
  11. ↑ "Marist College". Archived from the original on October 23, 2005. Retrieved September 16, 2005.
  12. ↑ Quinnipiac University
  13. 1 2 "Marist College". Archived from the original on April 27, 2005. Retrieved April 27, 2005.
  14. ↑ Quinnipiac University
  15. ↑ "Marist College". Archived from the original on June 22, 2005. Retrieved June 11, 2005.
  16. ↑ Quinnipiac University
  17. ↑ Quinnipiac University
  18. ↑ "Marist College". Archived from the original on October 23, 2005. Retrieved July 29, 2005.
  19. ↑ "Marist College" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on October 21, 2005. Retrieved August 15, 2005.
  20. ↑ The New York Times
  21. ↑ Quinnipiac University
  22. ↑ "Marist College". Archived from the original on October 23, 2005. Retrieved September 29, 2005.
  23. ↑ "Marist College". Archived from the original on October 24, 2005. Retrieved October 12, 2005.
  24. ↑ Quinnipiac University
  25. ↑ Quinnipiac University
  26. ↑ "Pace University" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on April 28, 2006. Retrieved November 2, 2005.
  27. ↑ The New York Times
  28. ↑ "Marist College". Archived from the original on November 24, 2005. Retrieved November 1, 2005.
  29. ↑ Quinnipiac University
  30. ↑ "Marist College". Archived from the original on February 14, 2006. Retrieved November 6, 2005.
  31. ↑ Quinnipiac University
  32. 1 2 "Results of 2005 General Election for Mayor of New York City" (PDF). Retrieved February 19, 2022.

See also

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