With New York in dire financial condition in 1977, Koch defeated Mayor Abe Beame and Cuomo in the Democratic primary to win his first term in City Hall.

WSJ: Legendary NYC mayor Koch dies; Monday funeral set

Mr. Koch, who earlier in the race had polled 2%, harnessed a so-called "blackout backlash" to defeat incumbent mayor Abraham Beame and archrival Mario Cuomo and win the election.

WSJ: Three-Term New York Mayor Ed Koch Dies at Age 88

Still, he makes the case that they are vastly better than John Lindsay and Abe Beame, mayors who presided over the city's decline, as well as David Dinkins, who dithered at the helm for a term between Mr Koch and Mr Giuliani.

ECONOMIST: A city in need of fearless leadership