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Here's Who Won In NYC's Down-Ballot Contests
By
David Cruz
Published Nov 3, 2021
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By
David Cruz
Published Nov 3, 2021
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With registered Democrats outnumbering Republicans in New York City by a margin of seven to one, the majority of Democratic winners in the June primary easily skated to defeat their opponents in the general election. We'll be updating with the results of citywide and other races.
In the race for New York City Public Advocate, Jumaane Williams, the incumbent, won re-election for the citywide post over his main rival, Republican challenger Dr. Devi Elizabeth Nampiaparampil. As he enters a four-year term in January, Williams has already expressed an interest in running for governor next year. If he wins the June 2022 primary for the gubernatorial seat, it opens the door for a special election for his Public Advocate seat.
Meanwhile, Williams’ ally and fellow Brooklynite, Councilmember Brad Lander, secured an easy victory in his race for New York City comptroller, defeating GOP rival Daby Benjamine Carreras. Lander, a progressive Democrat, has vowed to use the power of the comptroller’s office to bolster a climate resilience plan for the city through investments in the city’s pension funds, which total $300 billion.
In the races for all five borough president seats, four of the five winners of the Democratic primary in June went on to win the general election, defeating their Republican rivals. The most contentious borough president race happened in Staten Island, where Republican Vito Fossella, who was considered the favorite given the active Republican presence on the island, won against Democrat Mark Murphy and Conservative Party member Leticia M. Remauro, despite a secret-family scandal.
In the Bronx, Councilmember Vanessa Gibson is poised to make history as the first Black woman to serve the post, defeating Democrat-turned-Republican Samuel Ravelo. In Queens, Donovan Richards beat GOP and Conservative Party contender Thomas J. Zmich for the ceremonial position. The race for the Manhattan Borough President went to Councilmember Mark Levine over Republican candidate Louis Puliafito. In Brooklyn, Councilmember Antonio Reynoso beat out Menachem M. Raitport for the spot and is now poised to become the first Brooklyn borough president of Dominican descent.
In Manhattan, Alvin Bragg was elected as Manhattan's first Black District Attorney. In Brooklyn, current DA Eric Gonzalez ran uncontested (and is eyeing a run for NY State Attorney General).
Read More: ‘A Black Eye For Democracy’: New Yorkers Reject Ballot Measures Aimed At Making Voting Easier
All 51 New York City Council seats were up for grabs, and preliminary results show it will hold a female majority for the first time, with at least 30 women winning their respective council seats. But there were also gains for the Republican party, which flipped the 19th Council District in Queens and 48th Council District in Brooklyn. Republicans were also able to keep GOP representation in the 32nd Council District in Queens, where Joann Ariola has won, and in the 50th Council District in Staten Island, where David Carr is the winner of the seat. Carr will succeed his current boss, Steve Matteo.
There is also a contentious race happening in the 43rd Council District, where incumbent Councilmember Justin Brannan is holding a slim lead over GOP challenger Brian Fox. If Fox prevails, it would mean Republicans will have double the representation they hold now.
Check back here for more results on key races in this year’s election.
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election 2021
David Cruz
David is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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