In the topsy-turvy New York City mayoral race that has been filled with larger-than-life characters, Bill Thompson has run a steady, under-the-radar campaign. And he’s still within striking distance of victory.

Thompson was the Democratic nominee for New York City mayor in 2009 and nearly defeated Mayor Michael Bloomberg. But Thompson has been overshadowed by his more colorful rivals for mayor, including Christine Quinn, Bill de Blasio and Anthony Weiner.

Still, Thompson is now firmly in the top race’s top three, well-positioned to finish in the top two at the Sept. 10 primary and advance to a run-off.

He is the lone African-American in the race and hopes to win the minority vote. Some pundits believe his sometimes-muddled positions on police stop-and-frisk tactics may limit that support.

(AP)