In the Democratic primary election, Avella was defeated by New York City Comptroller Bill Thompson, coming in second place with 21% of the vote to Thompson's 71%.
ɪnðə dˌɛməkɹˈæɾɪk pɹˈaɪmɚɹi ᵻlˈɛkʃən, ævˈɛlə wʌz dᵻfˈiːɾᵻd baɪ nˈuː jˈɔːɹk sˈɪɾi kɑːmtɹˈoʊlɚ bˈɪl tˈɑːmpsən, kˈʌmɪŋ ɪn sˈɛkənd plˈeɪs wɪð twˈɛnti wˈʌn pɚsˈɛnt ʌvðə vˈoʊt tə tˈɑːmpsənz sˈɛvənti wˈʌn pɚsˈɛnt.