The Bronx Democratic Party released a statement on Tuesday night, July 6, following the latest results of the absentee ballot count and ranked-choice voting tabulation in the Democratic primary elections, which saw victories for progressive candidates and history-making wins in races across the borough.

 

Though the election results have not yet been ratified by the New York City Board of Elections (BOE), Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams secured enough absentee votes to win the Democratic nomination to become mayor of New York City. Additionally, Council Member Vanessa Gibson (CD-16) has made history as the next Democratic nominee for Bronx borough president, paving the way for her to become the first woman to hold that seat, as well as the Bronx’s first Black borough president, should she win the general election in November.

 

Progressive councilman, Brad Lander, will become the next city comptroller should he also win in November, having won the Democratic primary and the Bronx City Council delegation will be led by a majority of women of color. Party officials highlighted that those candidates who were supported by the Bronx Democratic Party will go on to represent the borough in the City Council after winning their respective primaries: Diana Ayala (District 8), Eric Dinowitz (District 11), Kevin Riley (District 12), Marjorie Velázquez (District 13), Pierina Sanchez (District 14), Oswald Feliz (District 15), Althea Stevens (District 16), Rafael Salamanca Jr. (District 17), and Amanda Farías (District 18).

 

Reacting to the latest results, Adams wrote in a tweet on Tuesday night, “I grew up poor in Brooklyn and Queens. I wore a bulletproof vest to keep my neighbors safe. I served my community as a State Senator & Brooklyn Borough President. And I’m honored to be the Democratic nominee to be the Mayor of the city I’ve always called home. Thank you New York!”

This morning, standing by the Women’s Rights Pioneers Monument in Central Park, I conceded this hard-fought, razor-thin race. Eric Adams will be the Democratic nominee and I look forward to supporting him in the general. To everyone who believed in this campaign: Thank you. pic.twitter.com/T2dvAeWzHH

— Kathryn Garcia (@KGforNYC) July 7, 2021

 

Meanwhile, Dinowitz released a statement on Wednesday, July 7, confirming he had received 61.3 percent of the vote in the final round of ranked choice voting. “I am thrilled to have won the Democratic Primary – it is an absolute honor to serve my community and I look forward to continuing to be a voice for the North Bronx in the City Council,” he said.

 

He went on to thank all of his supporters by name and added, “Most importantly, I am grateful for every voter who made their voice heard in this critical election. Since being elected in March, my team and I have worked hard to deliver for the North Bronx, and we are excited to continue fighting for a fair and equitable recovery for our community. I look forward to working with all Bronxites to ensure a strong future for all of us.”

I grew up poor in Brooklyn & Queens. I wore a bulletproof vest to keep my neighbors safe. I served my community as a State Senator & Brooklyn Borough President. And I'm honored to be the Democratic nominee to be the Mayor of the city I've always called home.

Thank you, New York! pic.twitter.com/YU2DBIFU5D

— Eric Adams (@ericadamsfornyc) July 7, 2021

 

For his part, Bronx Democratic Party chair, State Sen. Jamaal T. Bailey said, “We want to congratulate all of the candidates on their well-deserved victories and wish them success in their roles.” He added, “Congratulations to our next mayor, Eric Adams, Bronx borough president, Vanessa L. Gibson, and comptroller, Brad Lander, on their wins. These victories are a testament to the dedication and hard work of the candidates, countless staff members, volunteers, and supporters, and their forward-thinking vision for The Bronx.”

 

Bailey added that the wins were historic for The Bronx and for the entire city. “As we work towards more representative leadership and an equitable recovery, the Bronx Democratic Party is proud to have supported so many incredible progressive women running to represent our borough,” he said. “We look forward to working alongside our new leadership to ensure The Bronx emerges from this crisis stronger than ever.”

 

Reacting to the news, New York City Council Speaker and city comptroller candidate, Corey Johnson, who was endorsed by both Gibson and Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. in that race, and who endorsed Gibson in the borough president’s race and Dinowitz in the District 11 race, said, “I first got into public service to help the city I love. I was inspired by the motto I learned from my mother years ago: do the most good for the people who need it most. From the Community Board to the City Council, I’ve tried to do the right thing for my community and for all New Yorkers, from Fair Fares to the Climate Mobilization Act, to negotiating four multi- billion-dollar city budgets.”

 

 

He added, “Today, after seeing the numbers released by the Board of Elections, it’s clear that the right thing to do is to suspend my campaign for comptroller. This was a hard-fought campaign and I congratulate Brad Lander on his victory. I’m proud of everything we accomplished, and deeply grateful to every single volunteer and supporter who helped us get this far. This will always be the greatest city in the world, and I’m honored to have been part of the fight for its future.”

 

Meanwhile, Kathryn Garcia, runner-up in the mayoral primary race, scheduled a press conference for Wednesday to give her reaction to the results, as did Brad Lander.

There are so many folks I need to thank, but tonight I want to thank the voters of NYC.

Regardless of if I was your 1st choice, 5th choice, or not on your ballot, thank you. I'll be proud to work with you, for you, & alongside you as we work towards a better future. pic.twitter.com/f0eUlfT8sd

— Eric Adams (@ericadamsfornyc) July 7, 2021

 

Democratic Bronx borough president nominee, Gibson, will also hold a pre-planned press conference on Wednesday during which she will preside over the co-naming of a street in honor of the late Bronx teen, Brandon Hendricks, a gifted basketball player who was about to start college last year when he became another tragic victim of gun violence. As previously reported, a scholarship has been opened in Hendricks’ name for Bronx college students.

 

Gibson also released a statement on Tuesday night in which she thanked supporters from across the borough, saying she was honored to be the Democratic nominee for Bronx borough president, that she was committed to working with all stakeholders and that her priorities would be to help the borough recover from the pandemic and address inequality. “Thank you for your vote of confidence and support,” she said.

 

Editor’s Note: An earlier version of this story referred to the impacted candidates having won the mayoral, city comptroller and borough president races. This latest version clarifies that they have, in fact, won the primary races, and are the Democratic nominees for the upcoming general elections in November. We apologize for the miscommunication.