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08/09/2010 07:36 PM

NY1 Exclusive: Bloomberg Won't Seek To Eliminate Political Primaries

By: NY1 News

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Mayor Michael Bloomberg is backing away from his fight to eliminate political primaries.

NY1 has learned the mayor will not call on the City Charter Revision Commission to put the issue before voters this fall.

One source says a huge blow to the mayor's efforts came over the weekend when the Reverend Al Sharpton spoke out in defense of political primaries.

The Charter Revision Commission is expected to meet on Wednesday to vote on which issues will appear on the ballot in November.

It's expected voters will be asked to decide on term limits for elected officials.

In 2003, Mayor Bloomberg fought unsuccessfully for a ballot initiative to eliminate partisan elections.

This year, the issue had the support of the influential good government group Citizens Union, which had opposed the mayor seven years ago.