Editorial: Our picks to keep New York on right path

Now it's your turn, New York. Today is Primary Day -- and nothing less than the city's future is at stake.

Time to get to the polls and vote.

For 12 years, Mayor Michael Bloomberg has ruled the city with a deft formula of efficiency, innovation and determination. He's achieved big results. But for all his managerial skills, he has never been the kind of mayor New Yorkers like most: the crowd-craving, handshaking, in-your-face sidewalk pol. So who do we want to fill his shoes?

Do we want a mayor who's less numbers-driven and more empathetic? Someone who'll find a way to give parents a greater voice in local schools? Or do we want a mayor who stands first for safe streets and a prosperous business community and a firm stance with the unions? Or do we want all of the above?

Here are amNewYork's primary election choices:

Bill Thompson, Democrat. A genuine and reassuring figure, as mayor he can take the city to the next level. He has proved his mettle as head of the old Board of Education and as city comptroller. Long on knowledge and short on bluster, he can connect New Yorkers -- from the public housing projects to the boardrooms of midtown.

Joseph Lhota on the Republican ballot for mayor. A blunt-talking, results-oriented policy expert, he served as deputy mayor in the Giuliani administration and headed the MTA last year when Sandy hit. A former investment banker and executive at MSG and Cablevision, the owner of amNewYork, Lhota wants to institute regular town hall meetings with New Yorkers.

Scott Stringer for comptroller on the Democratic ballot. During his 20 years as state assemblyman and Manhattan borough president, he has proved himself as a thoughtful public servant with a keen eye for detail and a reputation for solid constituent service. He's known for his sound judgment and unquestioned integrity.

Your vote will count. On the Democratic side especially, today's mayoral race could produce a clear nominee or a runoff. But the only poll result that really counts is yours.