NEW YORK, NY September 30, 2009 —Queens Councilman John Liu won the Democratic run-off for City Comptroller by a several point margin. WNYC's Bob Hennelly has this report.

REPORTER: At the United Federation of Teachers Hall in Lower Manhattan it was standing room only to see an historic moment the nomination of an Asian American by the Democratic party for citywide office. Councilman John Liu said his victory reaffirmed the power of the American dream for immigrant families like his own.

LIU: You'll have every opportunity to do better for yourself and your family. And this is certainly the lesson I've learned tonight and it is because of all of you.

REPORTER: Liu's victory comes just after three Asian American candidates won Democratic primary contests for City Council. Since the 1980 Census the number of Asians calling the five boroughs home has jumped from a half-million to over a million. For WNYC I am Bob Hennelly.