Hell’s Kitchen and W42nd Street resident Andrew Yang will not be the next mayor of New York City. He conceded the race to replace Mayor de Blasio last night after polling behind the front runner Eric Adams and contenders Maya Wiley and Kathryn Garcia.
“I am not going to be the next mayor of New York City, based upon the numbers that are coming in tonight. I am conceding this race. Though we’re not sure ultimately who the next mayor is going to be, but whoever that person is, I will be very happy to work with them to help improve the lives of the 8.3 million people who live in our great city. And I would urge everyone here to do the same,” Yang told supporters at a party held at Social Drink and Food at YOTEL last night.
With ranked-choice voting still not accounted for, Adams has 31% of the votes with Wiley at 22% and Garcia at 19%. Yang was showing at 11% when he conceded.
Meanwhile, overnight figures show that Erik Bottcher has a clear lead to replace term-limited Corey Johnson in the race for Council District 3. Early figures show that Bottcher took 47% of the first choice voting, with Arthur Schwartz in second place with 15% and Leslie Boghosian Murphy in third with 14%. In the rest of the voting, Aleta LaFaruge had 9%, Marni Halasa 8% and Phelan Dante Fitzpatrick 5%.
Bottcher thanked campaign workers and his challengers last night, saying: “We did it! I want to thank the voters of Council District 3. This is one of the most consequential elections in the history of New York City. Thank you to Aleta, Marni, Phelan, Leslie and Arthur for running. I look forward to partnering with all of you to continue serving our community together.”
Schwartz said: “”I want to offer Erik my congratulations. He ran a positive, optimistic campaign, and I hope that his prediction of better days ahead come true. I remain the Democratic District Leader in Greenwich Village, I am still in court challenging the constitutionality of the PACT/RAD program at NYCHA, and I remain the Political Director of the NY Progressive Action Network, so we will have lots of opportunities to work together. I consider Erik a personal friend, he has always been kind to my family, and I am happy that his dream has come true. I do hope he takes a stronger stand against luxury development in Hell’s Kitchen, Chelsea, the Village and Soho than Corey Johnson did; if he does he will be a hero.”
Boghosian Murphy offered “a heartfelt thank you” to all the residents and local business owners who supported her campaign. “I have been lucky to run in a race with amazing people that have been a pleasure to campaign with. I look forward to working with Erik, Arthur, Aleta, Marni and Phelan making our community better and putting resident voices first,” she said this morning.
Fitzpatrick told us: “I’m so proud of our campaign and incredibly grateful for the opportunity and support we have received, and I will continue to advocate for my neighbors and our community Hopefully Erik will prioritize the issues and needs of small business operators like myself, and I wish him good luck and Godspeed. It’s our collective responsibility to hold him accountable, and to work together to ensure that our city emerges from these challenging times more equitable and stronger than before.”
Some of Hell’s Kitchen (northwest of W54th and 10th Avenue) is covered by Council District 6. Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer appears a clear winner, with 54% of the poll in the Democratic Primary. She will face a run-off against Republican Nancy Sliwa in November for the seat.
In the race for City Comptroller, Johnson trails Brad Lander. In the Democratic Primary Lander took 31% of the first place votes, with Johnson behind with 23% of the poll.
We will update this story as more results come in.
I am shocked that people would vote for Erik Bottcher, Corey Johnson’s “mini-me”. Let’s prepare for years more of do nothing representation just like his mentor. This really makes me sad that candidates who have lived in these neighborhoods for years and years, and have the best interest of the areas in their minds and hearts, did not do better. Bottcher pandered to the LGBT community, just like Corey, and wants nothing other than to make a name for himself, just like Corey, and further his political ambitions. His many fake photo ops on the campaign trail are already clear evidence about what he’s all about. As soon as he starts, assuming he does officially win, get ready to be disappointed again! Sorry to the real candidates that the worst possible option is ahead.
Sorry Hunter but Erik Bottcher won because he is the BEST person for the job and didn’t
pander to anyone.
If you knew anything about him you would know that anything good that has happened in district 3 over the past few years has been done with Erik’s input. During the 14 month pandemic, he rolled up his sleeves, put on his mask and reached out to thousands of seniors and made sure they were safe, fed and got their vaccines and HE delivered the meals with his volunteer team. Over the years people in district 3 could reach out to him and he would listen to their issues and solve them.
He ran the cleanest campaign and everyone he met on the street either knew him, had heard about the wonderful things he has done or thanked him for what he has done. And as for your comment about candidates, he is the REAL candidate and does have the best interests of the neighborhoods and people in his heart. You won’t be disappointed.
@Richard Agree to disagree. Luckily we’re allowed to have different opinions.
I had very different experiences with him when he was Corey’s right hand man. He claimed to be so involved in “cleaning up the streets” and came outside my building, held a rake and shovel for some photos and was gone in 10 minutes.
You say we won’t be disappointed, but many of us already are, and many more will be soon.