‘Women of color like myself have historically been marginalized from politics and public discourse. When local politicians don’t share any aspect of my identity with me, it can feel like girls like me aren’t meant to be a part of public life.’
The outcomes of two competitive primary races that concluded with recounts are expected to be certified on Tuesday, the city Board of Elections said.
Of the three primaries in which current Manhattan Council members faced challengers, the 9th Council District race is the only one in which the incumbent appears to have been defeated.
The City Council, where only 14 women serve in a chamber of 51, is poised—for the first time—to become a majority female body with 29 women currently leading in their respective races.’
In central Queens’ City Council District 20, which spans Flushing, Murray Hill, and Queensboro Hill there is a crowded and competitive Democratic primary race. The candidates face an onslaught of contentious issues such as anti-Asian hate crime, rezoning of the Flushing waterfront, a busway in downtown Flushing’s Main Street, and small business struggles.
10 candidates seek to fill Karen Koslowitz’s City Council seat in District 29 while opposing the construction of Kew Gardens jail.
Many running to represent the ethnically diverse district—which is home to the largest population of Dominicans than any other community in the United States—said in campaign materials that COVID-19 should be a key priority for the incoming Council member.
Francisco Moya’s most prominent primary challenger, mutual aid activist and social worker Ingrid Gómez, argues that much of the area’s suffering during the pandemic could have been prevented with different leadership.
With Councilmember Carlos Menchaca facing term limits this year, there is a competitive Democratic primary unfolding to replace him in Brooklyn’s 38th District, centered in Red Hook and Sunset Park, and also includes parts of Greenwood Heights, Windsor Terrace, Dyker Heights, and Boro Park.
A crowded Democratic primary race is unfolding to select the successor for term-limited City Councilmember Daniel Dromm in the 25th City Council District, which spans Jackson Heights and Elmhurst.