New York City mayoral election Mario Cuomo

two years later, cuomo ran mayor of new york city @ carey s urging. incumbent mayor abraham beame unpopular , cuomo 1 of 5 major challengers beame in democratic primary. in close , highly fractured election, u.s. representative ed koch finished first 19.81% of vote , cuomo came second 18.74%. no candidate cleared 40% of vote, koch , cuomo advanced runoff. koch emerged victorious 54.94% of vote cuomo s 45.06%. cuomo had received nomination of liberal party several months , urged drop out of race contested general election against koch , token republican opposition.

during mayoral campaign, placards appeared saying: vote cuomo, not homo in reference rumors koch s sexuality. cuomo denied responsibility this, koch never forgave him made clear pointedly disparaging reference mr. cuomo in recorded interview new york times not made public until mr. koch s death. cuomo ran on opposition death penalty, backfired amongst new yorkers crime high. cuomo went negative ads likened koch unpopular former mayor john lindsay. meanwhile, koch backers accused cuomo of antisemitism , pelted cuomo campaign cars eggs. cuomo defeated koch in general election, taking 40.97% koch s 49.99%. race discussed in jonathan mahler s book ladies , gentlemen, bronx burning.