Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Battle Of Brooklyn: Hipster Politician Vs. Gropey Politician's Tool
By
Rebecca Fishbein
Published Sep 25, 2012
Modified Sep 25, 2012
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Rebecca Fishbein
Published Sep 25, 2012
Modified Sep 25, 2012
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
On Saturday, we reported that 50th Assembly District Committeeman Lincoln Restler tweeted about his surprise 53 vote win over Vito Lopez-endorsed challenger Chris Olechowski. But alas, politicking is a fickle thing, and now it seems that Restler's actually down by 31 votes, due to a scanning machine issue at a Board of Elections poll site. Will the madness never end?!
Restler, who has been an avid Lopez critic and champion of political reform in Greenpoint, Wiliamsburg and Fort Greene, was originally behind Olechowski by under 200 votes after the state and local primary election on September 13, but managed to eke out a lead after all the absentee and emergency ballots were counted. Now, however, reports of differing counts from memory sticks at an 850 Kent Ave poll site scanning machine have led to new results, bringing Restler just a few votes behind Olechowski. Now, according to Restler's campaign page, a volunteer-run hand recount will tally up the final results this week.
We reached out to Restler, who is also rumored to be eyeing a seat on City Council, but have yet to receive a comment—meanwhile, if you're interested in participating in the hand count, you can email Restler at [email protected]. As Tom Stoppard once put it, "In Democracy, it's not the voting, it's the counting."
Tagged
brooklyn
chris olechowski
fort greene
greenpoint
Lincoln Restler
williamsburg
Rebecca Fishbein
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Manhattan neurologist charged with sexually abusing 2 patients, DA says
Prosecutors say Dr. Tariq Lamki abused two patients during appointments at a medical practice near Stuyvesant Town.
By
Giulia Heyward
Published Oct 13, 2026 at 5:43 p.m. ET
Years of bus headaches start Thursday as Port Authority advances Midtown terminal work
The Port Authority is replacing its ramshackle Midtown Bus Terminal. Riders will face years of headaches as the work is finished.
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
and
Carol Chen
News
Years of bus headaches start Thursday as Port Authority advances Midtown terminal work
The Port Authority is replacing its ramshackle Midtown Bus Terminal. Riders will face years of headaches as the work is finished.
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
and
Carol Chen
ICE admits to using Roxbury, NJ warehouse site to process immigrants
By
Mike Hayes
Dolan's offer: Donations to Blakeman for Knicks tickets
By
Walter Wuthmann
NYC officials call for Target boycott, say ICE staged at Marble Hill lot before shooting
By
Ryan Kost
and
Brittany Kriegstein
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .