In the New York City Council, Democrats Win Key Races

While overshadowed by the mayor’s race, all 51 New York City Council seats were also on the ballot this year, and as with races elsewhere in the United States, it was a good night for Democrats.

Many incumbent council members were either unopposed or faced only token challenges, but several closely watched races had the potential to add new voices to a body that will play a key role in Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s ability to achieve his agenda.

The races included one for a seat representing a swath of southern Brooklyn that is currently held by Justin Brannan, a Democrat prevented by term limits from running again. Kayla Santosuosso, the Democrat and Mr. Brannan’s chief counsel, beat the Republican, George Sarantopoulos, handily.

A Democrat, Phil Wong, also won the race to succeed the conservative Democrat Robert Holden in a central Queens district. Like Mr. Wong, Mr. Holden’s budget director, his Republican opponent, Alicia Vaichunas, also worked for Mr. Holden, in her case as deputy chief of staff. Mr. Holden had declined to endorse either candidate.

And in the northeast Bronx, Shirley Aldebol, a Democrat and union official, defeated Kristy Marmorato, a Republican incumbent who flipped the district two years ago to become the first member of her party to represent the borough on the Council in 40 years.


https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/05/nyregion/nyc-city-council-democrats.html