It's unclear whether Mr. Paladino received the 50, 000 votes needed Tuesday to win a ballot line for his Taxpayer's Party in upcoming elections.

WSJ: Paladino's Influence in Question

The lesson, said supporters of the mayor's effort, is that Mr. Bloomberg likely needs to win a few important fights at the ballot box in order to win fights in Congress.

WSJ: Mayor's 2014 Gun Push

But a tally based on the number of papers sent out to members in 1997, in the ballot to endorse Mr Hague's leadership election win, yields a total of just over 399, 000.

BBC: Hague membership drive falters