Koch, Ed, 1924-2013

<p>Edward Irving Koch (/kɒtʃ/ KOTCH; December 12, 1924 – February 1, 2013) was an American politician, lawyer, political commentator, film critic, and television personality. He served in the United States House of Representatives from 1969 to 1977 and was mayor of New York City from 1978 to 1989.</p>

<p>Koch was a lifelong Democrat who described himself as a "liberal with sanity". The author of an ambitious public housing renewal program in his later years as mayor, he began by cutting spending and taxes and cutting 7,000 employees from the city payroll. As a congressman and after his terms as mayor, Koch was a fervent supporter of Israel. He crossed party lines to endorse Rudy Giuliani for mayor of New York City in 1993, Michael Bloomberg for mayor of New York City in 2001, and George W. Bush for president in 2004.</p>

<p>A popular figure, Koch rode the New York City Subway and stood at street corners greeting passersby with the slogan "How'm I doin'?" A lifelong bachelor with no children, Koch rebuffed speculation about his sexuality and refused to publicly discuss his romantic relationships. After his retirement from politics, he declared that he was heterosexual.</p>

<p>Koch was first elected mayor of New York City in 1977, and he won reelection in 1981 with 75% of the vote. He was the first New York City mayor to win endorsement on both the Democratic and Republican party tickets. In 1985, Koch was elected to a third term with 78% of the vote. His third term was fraught with scandal regarding political associates (although the scandal never touched him personally) and with racial tensions, including the killings of Michael Griffith and Yusuf Hawkins. In a close race, Koch lost the 1989 Democratic primary to his successor, David Dinkins.</p>

KOCH, Edward Irving, a Representative from New York; born in the Bronx, N.Y., December 12, 1924; studied at City College of New York; LL.B., New York University Law School, 1948; combat infantryman with rank of sergeant, 1943-1946; admitted to the bar in 1949 and commenced practice in New York City; elected Democratic district leader of Greenwich Village, 1963-1965; delegate to State convention, 1964; elected to New York City Council, 1966; elected as a Democrat-Liberal to the Ninety-first and to the four succeeding Congresses and served from January 3, 1969, until his resignation December 31, 1977, to become mayor of New York City for the term commencing January 1, 1978; reelected mayor in 1981 and 1985; died on February 1, 2013, in New York City, N.Y.

<p><b>RACES</b>
<ul>
<li> 09/12/1989 NYC Mayor - D Primary Lost 42.23% (-8.48%)</li>
<li> 11/05/1985 New York City Mayor Won 78.03% (+67.83%)</li>
<li> 09/10/1985 NYC Mayor - D Primary Won 63.96% (+45.23%)</li>
<li> 09/23/1982 NY District 22 - L Primary Lost 24.49% (-16.33%)</li>
<li> 09/23/1982 NY Governor - D Primary Lost 47.67% (-4.67%)</li>
<li> 11/03/1981 New York City Mayor Won 74.64% (+61.33%)</li>
<li> 09/22/1981 NYC Mayor - D Primary Won 59.67% (+23.71%)</li>
<li> 09/22/1981 NYC Mayor - R Primary Won 66.67% (+33.35%)</li>
<li> 11/08/1977 New York City Mayor Won 49.99% (+9.02%)</li>
<li> 09/19/1977 NYC Mayor - D Runoff Won 54.96% (+9.92%)</li>
<li> 09/08/1977 NYC Mayor - D Primary Won 19.82% (+1.22%)</li>
<li> 11/02/1976 NY District 18 Won 75.08% (+55.19%)</li>
<li> 11/05/1974 NY District 18 Won 76.72% (+57.90%)</li>
<li> 11/07/1972 NY District 18 Won 69.94% (+40.66%)</li>
<li> 11/03/1970 NY District 17 Won 62.01% (+30.06%)</li>
<li> 06/23/1970 NY District 17 - D Primary Won 83.27% (+66.53%)</li>
<li> 11/05/1968 NY District 17 Won 48.54% (+2.95%)</li>
<li> 06/18/1968 NY District 17 - D Primary Won 60.08% (+34.16%)</li>
<li> 11/08/1966 New York City Council 02 Special Won 48.94% (+2.62%)</li>
<li> 09/06/1962 NY Assembly - New York 01 - D Primary Lost 41.59% (-16.83%)</li>
<li> 09/06/1962 NY Assembly - New York 01 - L Primary Lost 49.29% (-1.42%)</li>
</ul>
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