Scott Stringer tops Eliot Spitzer in Democratic comptroller race

Scott Stringer Tuesday night defeated Eliot Spitzer in the race for city comptroller, as city voters denied Spitzer a comeback from his disgraced resignation from governor.

Stringer squeezed out a close victory over Spitzer, as the two were within 3 percentage points of each other late last night, after trading leading position in polls leading up the election.

Spitzer, 54, the former governor who resigned in 2008 amid a prostitution scandal, staked his comeback on a winning an office that normally attracts little public notice.

Stringer, 53, the Manhattan borough president and former state assemblyman, relied on a vast get-out-the-vote operation backed by unions.

As the race played out, it became clear that Stringer’s record wasn’t much of a factor. Instead, the contest hinged on whether voters wanted to give Spitzer a second chance.

The campaign is believed to be the most expensive ever for the office. Spitzer pumped $9.4 million into his campaign, mostly from his family real estate fortune, records show. Stringer spent about $5.5 million, a spokesperson confirmed.