Stringer to Take Reins of Comptroller Office

By SAMUEL J. PAUL

Scott Stringer on Tuesday was elected the next New York City comptroller with a lead of more than 60 percentage points.

“The people have spoken loud and clear tonight and we have an opportunity to chart a new course for New York,” he said in his victory speech.

With nearly all the votes counted, Stringer had 81 percent to 17 percent for his Republican opponent, John Burnett.

“I want to be a comptroller who never forgets he is here to serve the people of New York City,” said Stringer, with enthusiasm. “Our work is just beginning. And I promise you starting tomorrow I’m going to work day in and day out to make sure we have the best staff and the people in that office will do the people’s business.”

“I think voters went with the candidate which they felt they could relate to the most; the one which they believed would better understand their concerns,” said Frank Joseph, a political consultant.

Stringer, the Democratic candidate, had defeated former Gov. Eliot Spitzer in his party’s primary on Sept. 10. He faced a much more low-profile Republican challenger, Burnett, who argued that Stringer lacked the experience needed to be the city’s chief fiscal officer.

“At the end of the day people will focus on who’s experienced and who is a political hack,” Burnett contended. Stringer, who served in the Assembly before becoming Manhattan borough president said his extensive experience in government was the reason he should be elected. air max thea femmes “I have had experience in each of those levels of government,Stringer said.”Not to mention my experience in Albany where I had to deal with both Republicans and Democrats as a member of the state assembly.”

This debate boiled down to who has the right type of experience.

Burnett has an extensive background on Wall Street.

Stringer said that having Wall Street or financial experience is nowhere near enough for the compotroller’s job. “I think the job of comptroller is not to be a day trader, but to be a strong manager,” he said. As a borough president, he serves as a trustee for the $44 billion New York City Employees Retirement System, a pension fund.

In a debate on New York 1, Burnett challenged Stringer’s record, arguing that he was a “failure” for missing a great number of board meetings and owing so many people favors. “I’m surprised you still even have your own soul,” the Republican candidate said.

Stringer responded that he went to meetings he did not have to attend. And when he couldn’t attend, he sent a qualified representative. “This is why government service does matter in this job,” the Democratic candidate said, referring to Burnett’s allegations as a sign that his opponent’s Wall Street experience is insignificant in this race. “The comptroller doesn’t go to the pension fund meetings.”