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ABOUT FIRST READ

First Read is an analysis of the day's political news, from the NBC News political unit. First Read is updated throughout the day, so check back often.

Chuck Todd, NBC Political Director

Mark Murray, NBC Deputy Political Director

Domenico Montanaro, NBC News Political Reporter

Close races in New York

Posted: Tuesday, November 03, 2009 10:39 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: 2009

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro and Chuck Todd
There are a couple of close races in New York -- unexpectedly so in New York City, where Mike Bloomberg is barely hanging on, despite spending a record $85 million-plus on his race, gerrymandering a third term and most public polling showed Bloomberg up double-digits.

With 94% in, Bloomberg was up just 50%-46%.

Best our election team can tell, Bloomberg SHOULD hang on as there is more of Queens out than any other part of the city. And for the record, NBC News has NOT called the race for Bloomberg; We reported the call of exit pollster, EMR. They pulled their call.

In NY-23, Democrat Bill Owens was up 49-46 with 59% in.

*** UPDATE *** At 10:47 pm ET, NBC called the NYC race for Bloomberg.

*** UPDATE 2 *** In NY-23, The voting is going very slowly with a few towns reporting issues with ballot machines meaning those votes may not be counted for quite awhile.

*** UPDATE 3 *** NY-23: 77% in, Owens still up -- 49-45 now

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Comments

Bloomberg was declared the winner already, although much closer than expected!!

Pam, San Pedro, California (Sent Tuesday, November 03, 2009 11:02 PM)

I'm going to ask a serious question here and I don't think anyone's asked this yet.

I hear the Right Wing crowing about how Independents have shifted and are now flocking to the Republicans McDonnell in Virginia and Christie in New Jersey.

Question:

How many of those who are identifying themselves as Independents would have identified themselves as Republicans just 1 year ago or 2 years ago?

In other words, is this truly a swing by Independents towards the Republican candidates or is the increase due voters who have trended in the past towards voting Republican but do not wish to be identified with the party for one reason or another?

Pete - Albany, NY (Sent Tuesday, November 03, 2009 11:05 PM)

Why did MSNBC call the race for Bloomberg with 7% reported, then backtrack later on? Was that from EMR as well? Even at the time it seemed like too soon, too few votes to make a call, but Maddow reported it very soon after the polls closed.

Frodo, Richmond (Sent Wednesday, November 04, 2009 8:21 AM)

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