| Elections in New York State |
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An election was held on November 6, 1973 to elect the President of the New York City Council. Democratic incumbent Sanford Garelik initially did not run for re-election, choosing instead to run for mayor in the Democratic Party primary. After dropping out of the mayoral primary and running for re-election, Garelik was defeated in the Democratic primary by Paul O'Dwyer.
In the general election, O'Dwyer defeated Thomas F. Galvin and Simeon Golar by a wide margin.[1]
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Anthony G. DiFalco, Assemblyman from Manhattan
- Sanford Garelik, incumbent City Council President since 1970
- Paul O'Dwyer, former City Councilman from Manhattan at-large and candidate for U.S. Senate in 1968 and 1970
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Paul O'Dwyer | 268,919 | 41.40% | |
| Democratic | Sanford Garelik (incumbent) | 232,509 | 35.80% | |
| Democratic | Anthony G. DiFalco | 148,115 | 22.80% | |
| Total votes | 649,543 | 100.00% | ||
Garelik dropped out of the mayoral race at the filing deadline on April 12, filing instead for re-election as Council President.[3]
Because O'Dwyer received more than forty percent of the vote, a runoff was not necessary. Nevertheless, Garelik asserted that "irregularities", including the misplacement of voter identification cards, had marred the election and called for a recount. In light of these claims, Garelik said, “it was almost a miracle I did as well as I did.”[2] He pledged to contest the general election as an independent in the event that the recount did not succeed in forcing a runoff.[2]
O'Dwyer, who had lost races for city and statewide offices in 1965, 1968 and 1970, suggested Garelik was not "accustomed" to losing.[2]
General election
Candidates
- Thomas F. Galvin, architect, real estate developer, and former chair of the New York City Board of Standards and Appeals[4] (Republican and Conservative)
- Simeon Golar, former chair of the New York City Housing Authority and aide to mayor John Lindsay[4] (Liberal)
- Paul O'Dwyer, former City Councilman from Manhattan at-large and candidate for U.S. Senate in 1968 and 1970 (Democratic)
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Paul O'Dwyer | 867,515 | 59.43% | |
| Republican | Thomas F. Galvin | 442,655 | 30.33% | |
| Liberal | Simeon Golar | 149,447 | 10.24% | |
| Total votes | 1,459,617 | 100.00% | ||
References
- ^ a b Lynn, Frank (November 7, 1973). "A Landslide Here: O'Dwyer,Goldin Score High Pluralities as 3 Democrats Prevail". The New York Times. p. 1.
- ^ a b c d Darnton, John (June 6, 1973). "O'Dwyer Looks to Election And Garelik to a Recount". The New York Times. p. 53.
- ^ Carroll, Maurice (April 13, 1973). "Garelik Quits Mayoral Contest As Candidates File Petitions". The New York Times. p. 25.
- ^ a b "O'DWYER FAVORED FOR COUNCIL POST". The New York Times. November 4, 1973. p. 74.
- ^ "Results of Voting in Races Here on Tuesday and Statewide Selection of Chief Judge". The New York Times. November 8, 1973. p. 54.