A report published in the NY Daily News this morning states that Bill Thompson will concede the Democratic primary to Bill DeBlasio later this morning.
Mayoral also-ran Bill Thompson plans to throw in the towel Monday after the city’s recanvassing of the Democratic primary vote made clear his rival Bill de Blasio’s strong first-place lead wasn’t going to change, sources told the Daily News.
Thompson plans a mid-morning press conference to give a concession speech and throw his weight behind Public Advocate de Blasio, who polled 40.2% of the vote to Thompson’s 26.2%, the sources said.
More details as they become available.
NY Times now has a report up.
William C. Thompson Jr. will withdraw from the mayor’s race on Monday morning at City Hall, ending his second bid to run the city, according to people told of the plan.
Mr. Thompson, a Democrat, will endorse his rival, Bill de Blasio, after making the announcement, these people said. Mr. de Blasio is leading in votes counted thus far from last week’s mayoral primary, with a little more than 40 percent of the vote.
Thousands of ballots remain uncounted, with many of them to be tallied today. But Mr. Thompson realized, those close to him said, that even if he were to qualify for a runoff against Mr. de Blasio, his chances of victory were slim.
Mr. Thompson scheduled a news conference at 11 a.m. at City Hall to make the announcement.
UPDATE: As expected, Bill Thompsen has conceded and endorsed Bill DeBlasio:
William C. Thompson Jr. withdrew from the race for mayor of New York on Monday morning, ending his second bid to run the city and making Bill de Blasio the undisputed Democratic nominee.
Mr. Thompson endorsed Mr. de Blasio at an 11 a.m. news conference at City Hall. Mr. de Blasio joined Mr. Thompson at the news conference, along with Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, in an effort to demonstrate Democratic Party unity.
“I am proud to stand here today and support Bill de Blasio to be the next mayor of the City of New York,'’ Mr. Thompson said.
Times report