De Blasio elected mayor of New York

NEW YORK: Public Advocate Bill de Blasio (dih BLAH'-zee-oh) has been elected mayor of New York, becoming the first Democrat since 1989 to be chosen to lead the largest U.S. city.

De Blasio defeated Republican Joe Lhota (LOH'-tuh). De Blasio will succeed Michael Bloomberg, the billionaire who is leaving after 12 years.

De Blasio ran on a liberal, tax-the-rich platform that was sharply at odds with Bloomberg's pro-business, pro-development record.