New York City Democratic mayoral nominee Bill de Blasio speaks after Bill Thompson's concession in front of City Hall in New York, September 16, 2013. Thompson on Monday pulled out of the race, making De Blasio the Democratic nominee in the election to succeed Mayor Michael Bloomberg. [Photo/Agencies]

NEW YORK - New Yorkers now have their choices before them in the campaign to succeed Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

Public Advocate Bill de Blasio became the undisputed Democratic nominee Monday after primary runner-up Bill Thompson withdrew, eliminating the need for a runoff election. He'll face Republican nominee Joseph Lhota in the November 5 general election.

Lhota quickly went on the attack, painting the election as a contest between opponents with vastly different visions of how the city should function.

De Blasio is calling for a tax hike on the wealthiest New Yorkers to pay for universal pre-kindergarten, reforming the policing strategy called "stop-and-frisk," and demanding greater income equality.

Lhota, former head of the region's transit agency and an ex-deputy mayor to Rudy Giuliani, has vowed to continue many of Bloomberg's policies.