However , the popular mayor earned a moderate victory despite tepid support from insiders .
Because Flaherty had long antagonized the remnants of the city 's archaic Democratic machine , the aging party bosses endorsed Caliguiri , even though both Democratic candidates had similar legacies as a reformer .
The popular mayor earned a moderate victory despite tepid support from insiders .
Because Flaherty had long antagonized the remnants of the city 's archaic Democratic machine , the aging party bosses endorsed Caliguiri , even though both Democratic candidates had similar legacies as a reformer .