Incumbent mayor Vincent R. Impellitteri ran for re-election to a second term in office but lost the Democratic nomination to Robert F. Wagner Jr. Wagner went on to win the general election with a decisive plurality in a three-way race against Republican Harold Riegelman and Liberal Rudolph Halley.

Wagner enjoyed the support of the powerful Tammany Hall political machine, easily securing him a victory.

[2] Robert F. Wagner Jr. defeated incumbent Mayor Vincent R. Impellitteri for the Democratic nomination.

Ralph Bunche, Jacob Javits, Newbold Morris, and Nelson Rockefeller were considered as possible candidates.

The Liberals attempted to negotiate with the Republicans, but they rejected endorsing Halley and were unsure if they would nominate Javits.