New York’s politically purple neighborhoods are just weeks away from choosing their next City Council members in redrawn districts. And with expected low turnout in November’s elections, the results are anyone’s guess; public polling in Council races are very rare.
Races to watch include conservative-leaning neighborhoods in The Bronx, Brooklyn and Queens, including one newly created district in southern Brooklyn that will give the Council its first majority Asian seat. Asian American voters will likely make or break the results in at least three other close races, too.
Republicans may gain a seat in northeast Bronx if a progressive first-time councilmember can’t hang on in a tight, contentious race there. But the GOP could lose a seat in northern Queens as a hard-right incumbent, Vickie Palladino, faces a longtime former leader in the area, Tony Avella, running as a Democrat.
Not sure which district you’re in? Find and explore your political neighborhood with THE CITY’s Know Your District tool.
Election day is Tuesday, November 7 and early voting begins on October 28, which is also the voter registration deadline. Here are the races to watch in November:
The Bronx
District 13: Marjorie Velázquez vs. Kristy Marmorato
This district, which stretches from Morris Park to City Island, had the most crowded primary races in the city this past June, and both candidates eked out wins in close races. Democratic incumbent Velázquez won with key union support and Republican Marmorato won her primary in the third round of a ranked-choice voting tally against two other candidates.
Velázquez faced major criticism during her two-year term over proposed zoning changes along Bruckner Boulevard in Throggs Neck, a plan she ultimately supported after saying she opposed it.
Velázquez’s platform includes promises to support…
Read the full article here