NYC: Mayoral race flipped on it’s head as de Blasio races to top of polls

A new poll conducted by Quinnipiac University shows Bill de Blasio with 36 percent of the likely Democratic vote – striking distance of avoiding a widely-expected runoff election.

The two other leading Democratic candidates, Council Speaker Christine Quinn and former Comptroller Bill Thompson, posted 21 and 20 percent respectively.

“Talk about breaking out of the pack!” pollster Maurice Carroll said in a statement acknowledging Mr. de Blasio’s quick rise. “Public Advocate Bill de Blasio, in fourth place just five weeks ago, is edging up on the magic 40 percent needed to avoid a Democratic primary runoff. And if there is a runoff, he clobbers Council Speaker Christine Quinn or former Comptroller and 2009 Democratic challenger William Thompson.”