Here’s a wrap-up of the results relevant to the Lower East Side in tonight’s New York City Primary Election.
With 100% of the precincts reporting, City Council member Margaret Chin defeated challenger Jenifer Rajkumar 58% to 41% (or 8303 votes to 5891 votes). After a bruising campaign for the District 1 seat, she thanked her supporters, including Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, who was at her side at a celebration at the Chatham Square Restaurant on the Bowery. Chin said, “We are still the dynamic duo of Lower Manhattan. We get things done and we’re still going to get things done in the next four years.” Silver chimed in, telling voters, “thank you for giving me someone I can work with again at City Hall.”
In District 2, which includes the section of the neighborhood above East Houston Street, incumbent Rosie Mendez easily defeated her opponent, Rick Del Rio, 81% to 18%. In another race with LES implications, State Senator Daniel Squadron came in a close second to Letitia James in the Democratic Primary for public advocate. She had 35.9% while he came in with 33.3%. The two candidates will now go head-to-head in a runoff election next month. If Squadron becomes public advocate, there will be a special election to fill his Senate seat.
