Anthony Weiner decided to concede the Democratic primary for mayor of New York City to his opponent Fernando Ferrer. Ferrer will now oppose incumbent Republican Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
The results saw Weiner running a distant second to Ferrer in the four-way race. Because Ferrer failed to get the majority of the votes, a runoff was required under New York City voting laws.
Ferrer received 39.9 percent of the vote while Weiner was second with 29 percent. Manhattan Borough President C. Virginia Fields was third with roughly 16 percent of the vote while City Council Speaker Gifford Miller ended up with roughly 10 percent of the vote. Turnout was considered low.
Weiner made the announcement at a news conference in the Park Slope section of Brooklyn. He called it 'the right thing to do.'
'We need focus and we need unity and a chance to make a case against him (Bloomberg),' Weiner said.
Weiner also said he would do anything he could to help Ferrer defeat Bloomberg.
Ferrer, who has run unsuccessfully for mayor twice before, was very enthused after receiving the results of the primary.
'A new city is rising. Your time is now!' he told supporters. Later, he added, 'I have never been as hopeful as I am tonight.'
