Eliot Spitzer Turns in 27,000 Signatures to Get on the Ballot in New York

The former governor gathered well above the 3,750 signatures needed to get on the Democratic primary ballot for the New York City comptroller's race.

Eliot Spitzer gathered 27,000 signatures to get on the the Democratic primary ballot for the New York City comptroller's race. It's a pretty impressive haul in the three days the former governor has been in the race, though it probably helped that he paid petition carriers a reported $800 a day. Spitzer turned in the signatures to the New York City Board of Elections just before 11 p.m. on Thursday night, Politico's Maggie Haberman reports. The test will be verifying those signatures—he needs 3,750 from registered Democrats who live in New York City and who haven't already signed for other candidates in the race. Turning in 27,000 gives him a good cushion.

Spitzer's main opponent is Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, who is almost certain to challenge Spitzer's signatures. That's because Stringer's best chance to win is probably by keeping Spitzer off the ballot. A poll earlier this week showed Spitzer leading Stringer by 44 percent to 33 percent. Stringer's campaign released a statement saying, "Through an entirely volunteer grassroots effort, Scott Stringer collected more than 100,000 signatures from every neighborhood across this City—more than any other candidate running for office this year."