Bill Thompson Drops Out of NYC Mayor's Race — The Democratic Primary is Over

What we've unofficially known for the last six days is now official. The New York City mayoral election this fall will be between Democrat Bill de Blasio and Republican Joe Lhota. De Blasio's last remaining Democratic rival, Bill Thompson, is conceding today.

In order to avoid a runoff, a primary candidate must garner at least 40% of the total vote. With 99% of precincts reporting, de Blasio has 40.3% — a victory that saw him win almost every demographic group in the city. Thompson was far behind in second place with 26.2%, and the result of a runoff was never really in doubt — it's clear de Blasio would have won it — but by conceding, Thompson will help present a front of Democratic unity going into the November 5 election.

According to the Associated Press, the deal was brokered by New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo. The governor, along with the two candidates and members of the city's Democratic leadership, is holding a press conference at City Hall. This photo from the Daily News' Erin Durkin shows the three descending the steps together:

And from the New York Observer's Jill Colvin:

Aaaaaaaaaand we're off. The general election will be held on November 5.