Mayor Mike Bloomberg, the incumbent Independent-Republican, is running for re-election on a platform that emphasizes an improved school system under mayoral control, continuing decreases in crime rates, development that is improving long-blighted areas and providing new housing, managerial skills that have kept the city from falling into an economic abyss despite sharp cuts in tax revenue and an improved environment, with a focus on green industries and the upgrade and expansion of city parks.
   His opponent, city Comptroller Bill Thompson Jr. — a former president of the old Board of Education — denies that the schools are better under Bloomberg and has produced audits contending that graduation rates have been inflated by City Hall. Thompson lists his top issues as the economy, affordable housing and healthcare.
   “Bill Thompson understands the unique challenges facing both New York City's workforce and its employers,” his campaign website reads. “Always a proponent of strong, efficient and effective economic initiatives, Bill is committed to developing an economy that provides all New Yorkers with quality job opportunities that pay living wages.”
   Among Thompson’s accomplishments as comptroller, he cites “the construction of 1.4 million square feet of office space in Long Island City, Queens, which will provide jobs and economic activity to an area hurt by the decline in industrial manufacturing.”
   On Bloomberg’s campaign website, the mayor lists fixing mass transit, creating more affordable housing and widening access to community colleges as the top three items in his vision for the future.
   “He has set an ambitious goal of creating or preserving 165,000 affordable housing units by 2014, which will result in housing for half a million New Yorkers,” the site reads. “Now, in the midst of a recession, it is more important than ever to build and preserve affordable housing in this city.”
   For comptroller, City Councilman John Liu (D-Flushing) faces Republican nominee Joe Mendola, a financial compliance officer in the private sector.
   Liu, who also worked in finance before going into politics, says that if elected he will make sure that businesses owned by women and minorities are given a fair shot at city contracts and will use the office’s audit power to ensure that city dollars are spent more wisely.
   Mendola, who was raised in Queens, says that he would focus on depoliticizing the comptroller’s office and put his experience in the financial sector to use making sure city dollars are invested where they will get the best returns.
   The race for public advocate pits Democratic Brooklyn Councilman Bill de Blasio against GOP candidate Alex Zablocki, the top aide to state Sen. Andrew Lanza (R-Staten Island).
   De Blasio says that if elected he will give public school parents a voice in our public education system, create more affordable housing, support neighborhood businesses and ensure that all New Yorkers have access to living-wage jobs.
   Zablocki says he will fight for government accountability, less traffic and more mass transit, safer streets, better planning for the future and policies that benefit the middle class.