New York City's Mayoral Election: Bloomberg The Winner

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Bloomberg Votes and Campaigns: NYDNBrawl Video

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Updated: 6:50pm PST

Michael Bloomberg has been re-elected as Mayor of New York City, beating Democrat Bill Thompson.

It is the Election Day in New York City today. The mayoral election is in full swing with two major candidates -- current mayor independent candidate Michael Bloomberg and Democrat candidate Bill Thompson running head to head. However, the incumbent mayor and billionaire Michael Bloomberg is expected to win third straight term as New York's mayor. Bloomberg is the eighth-richest man in America with a net worth of $16 billion. He is the richest resident of New York City. There are speculations Bloomberg has spent significant amounts of money on his re-election bid. Estimates vary between $85 and $100 million.

Bloomberg has a track record of changing party affiliations. He started off as a Democrat, switched to being a Republic, finally becoming an independent in 2007. Bloomberg is running for his third term as New York's mayor, while only terms were allowed previously. Bloomberg himself campaigned for an amendment to New York City's laws to allow him to run for third term. The amendment was passed in October of last year.

Bloomberg's main opponent is Democrat Bill Thompson, who also happens to be African American. If elected Thompson won't be the first African American mayor of New York, however. The first black mayor of New York City was David Dinkins, who held office from 1990 to 1993.

Famous New York mayors:

• Rudy Giuliani (1994-2001) - called the Mayor of the World after 9/11 attacks
• Ed Koch (1969-1977) - the "How'm I doing?" Mayor
• John Lindsay (1966-1973) -- the morning news anchor Mayor

The map of New York City's polling stations can be accessed here.