councilman liu headed for runoff in nyc comptroller race

On Tuesday in New York City, after a tight, expensive race for city comptroller, it looks like City Councilman John C. Liu of Queens will be headed for a runoff election against David Yassky of Brooklyn: Liu and Yassky Headed for Runoff for New York City Comptroller.

With 100 percent of the vote counted, unofficial results showed that Mr. Liu had captured 38 percent of the vote, just short of the 40 percent he needed to win outright. Mr. Yassky took 30 percent, and Councilwoman Melinda R. Katz of Queens finished third, with 20 percent. David I. Weprin, a councilman from Queens, was fourth.

Mr. Liu, who ran with the backing of several major labor unions, would become the first Asian American elected citywide if he prevails in a runoff on September 29. Here's the full list of 2009 New York City Primary Returns. More here: city comptroller candidates face runoff.