In 1st debate of NYC mayoral race, Dem underdog attacks Bloomberg over changed term limits

October 8th, 2009 National Democrats absent from NYC mayoral raceNEW YORK — A Democrat is struggling to unseat the mayor of the nation's largest city, but top party leaders are staying on the sidelines. The Democratic National Committee has said nothing about William Thompson Jr.'s uphill battle to unseat Mayor Michael Bloomberg, the popular billionaire who has spent $64.8 million of his own money on the race, or 16 times what Thompson has spent.

October 7th, 2009 Berry leads Albuquerque mayoral raceALBUQUERQUE — Mayor Martin Chavez appeared on his way out late Tuesday, as state Rep. Richard Berry told supporters he will be Albuquerque's next mayor.

October 6th, 2009 Albuquerque, NM, voters cast ballots for mayorALBUQUERQUE — State Rep. Richard Berry has taken an early lead in his bid for Albuquerque mayor.

October 6th, 2009 Albuquerque voters cast ballots for mayorALBUQUERQUE — Albuquerque voters will decide Tuesday whether to give the mayor an unprecedented fourth term. Mayor Martin Chavez paved the way for his campaign by asking a judge to overturn the term-limits law in the city charter.

October 6th, 2009 State representative leads Albuquerque mayor raceALBUQUERQUE — Early returns show Martin Chavez trailing a state representative in his bid for an unprecedented fourth term as Albuquerque's mayor. Poll workers began counting the ballots Tuesday night.

October 2nd, 2009 Bloomberg has spent $64.8 million on 3rd campaignNEW YORK — New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg has spent $64.8 million of his own money in his bid for a third term and, since midsummer, has been spending campaign cash at a rate of $15,000 per hour. The popular billionaire incumbent is heavily favored against Democrat William Thompson Jr., who has collected $8 million in donations and public matching funds.

September 30th, 2009 Bloomberg, others press for federal security fundsNEW YORK — Mayor Michael Bloomberg and other officials are urging Congress to make sure a program that helps the city protect against a radiological or nuclear terrorist attack gets adequately funded. Bloomberg was joined at a news conference Sunday by Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly, U.S.

September 20th, 2009 Analysis: NYC mayor king of obscure endorsementsNEW YORK — Billionaire Mayor Michael Bloomberg is likely to set another spending record in this year's mayoral race, but he appears to be aiming for a more obscure honor as well — the candidate with the most peculiar endorsements. Bloomberg's campaign released a lighthearted video this week featuring the mayor hounding a skeptical Matt Damon for his endorsement, arguing that it really could do him some good.

September 15th, 2009 NYC comptroller wins primary to face BloombergNEW YORK — New York City Comptroller William Thompson Jr. has cruised to victory in the Democratic mayoral primary and will face billionaire incumbent Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

September 5th, 2009 Naked Cowboy drops bid to become NYC mayorNEW YORK — The Naked Cowboy of Times Square says he's dropping out of the race for mayor of New York City. Robert Burck is a tourist attraction known for strumming his guitar in the square while wearing only white briefs, boots and a cowboy hat.

August 27th, 2009 NYC mayor: I have no opponents, didn't see debateNEW YORK — Mayor Michael Bloomberg said Thursday he's not really running against anyone in this year's mayoral election, and sought to cast his challengers as irrelevant. The Republican-turned-independent portrayed his campaign for a third term as a lone effort to advertise his record since taking office in 2002.

August 21st, 2009 Rich NYC mayor: Drug CEOs don't make much moneyNEW YORK — Billionaire Mayor Michael Bloomberg defended multibillion-dollar pharmaceutical companies and their chief executives on Friday, declaring that they "don't make a lot of money" and shouldn't be scapegoats in the health care debate. The mayor — and wealthiest person in New York City with a fortune estimated at $16.5 billion — made the comments on his radio show Friday during a discussion about health care.

July 24th, 2009 NYC mayor apologizes for his idling SUVsNEW YORK — Mayor Michael Bloomberg has apologized for letting his SUVs idle for long periods of time. Bloomberg ordered his drivers to stop the practice this week after The Associated Press reported observing the parked vehicles' engines running for long stretches.

June 9th, 2009 NYC mayor seeks to soften image at women's eventNEW YORK — Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who's sometimes perceived as cold and unfriendly, sought to warm up his image at an event with women voters on Monday. Bloomberg, a divorced billionaire who has two grown daughters, sat on a stage bathed in purple light next to a bouquet of flowers and took questions from the invited audience.

April 28th, 2009 Appeals court OKs NYC mayor's run for third termNEW YORK — A federal appeals court concluded Tuesday there are no constitutional obstructions to letting Mayor Michael Bloomberg run for a third term this year. The 2nd U.S.