Spitzer Delivers Signatures in N.Y. Comptroller Bid

Former New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer, in the latest step in his political comeback try, delivered nomination signatures for New York City comptroller to the city’s Board of Elections office late Thursday night.

“I’m proud that the citizens, in an outpouring of support, have given us more than 27,000 signatures,” Spitzer told reporters in lower Manhattan after he and supporters appeared with four boxes of signatures 90 minutes before the filing deadline.  He expressed confidence that the signatures would withstand any legal challenge.

“I would think that anyone who challenges 27,000 signatures doesn’t believe in democracy, doesn’t believe in primaries and doesn’t believe in the fundamental notion of competition,” Spitzer said.

Spitzer resigned five years ago as governor in the aftermath of a prostitution scandal. The race for comptroller, an officeholder that oversees the city’s bond program and municipal employee pension funds, is open-seat, with incumbent John Liu running for mayor.

A Marist College poll among registered city Democrats, released Thursday, had Spitzer leading Manhattan borough president Scott Stringer 42% to 33%. About one-quarter is undecided. Also running as a Libertarian is ex-madam Kristin Davis, who said she once supplied Spitzer with prostitutes.

“You know all about this poll stuff. What goes up must come down,” Stringer told reporters earlier Thursday.

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