New York City, November 8 – Republican Kristy Marmorato declared a historic victory early this morning in the East Bronx’s 13th District City Council race, signaling a significant shift in an area that has been a Democratic stronghold for generations. Marmorato, who has run a formidable campaign against Democratic incumbent Marjorie Velazquez, established a 708-vote lead with more than 98% of election scanners reporting, according to unofficial results from the city’s Board of Elections.
The GOP’s Marmorato is poised to be the first Republican to take the seat since 1983, marking a significant political upset in the Bronx. This standout result emerged as part of New York City’s broader council elections, which largely saw incumbents reelected.
Marmorato expressed her gratitude to supporters late Tuesday night. “I am honored, I am blessed, and I am going to make you very proud of the job that I’m going to do,” she said, reflecting the mood of an energized GOP in the Bronx.
Despite the low overall voter turnout, estimated at 11% of the 5.1 million registered voters, the City Council races attracted attention due to the once-in-two-decades electoral quirk requiring all 51 seats to be contested in a short, two-year term to accommodate newly drawn district boundaries.
In Brooklyn, Democratic newcomer Susan Zhuang achieved victory in the 43rd District with a commanding 59% share of the vote in the newly formed Asian-majority area. Incumbent Justin Brannan, also a Democrat, retained his seat in the 47th District, fending off a challenge from Ari Kagan, a Democrat-turned-Republican, with Brannan securing 58% of the vote.
The Republican Party had more reasons to celebrate as Inna Vernikov defended her position in Brooklyn’s 48th District against Democrat Amber Adler, capturing more than 67% of the vote. Similarly, in Queens, Republican Vickie Paladino claimed a decisive win in the 19th District, securing 60% of the vote in her rematch against Democrat Tony Avella.
Notable wins also came from unopposed candidates, such as Democrat Yusef Salaam, a member of the exonerated Central Park Five, who won the Harlem-based seat, symbolizing a victory of hope for his community.
The drama of election night extended into the competitive 47th District race, where Brannan, accompanied by key Democratic figures, including Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, delivered a speech emphasizing unity and public service above partisan divisions. The race also saw last-minute controversial tactics, with Kagan’s campaign distributing pamphlets containing disputed remarks from a Democratic Party chairperson, a move that was later denounced.
In the judicial and district attorney races, incumbents held firm, with Bronx DA Darcel Clark and Staten Island DA Michael McMahon running unopposed, and Queens DA Melinda Katz triumphing over her Republican challenger.
New York voters additionally passed two state ballot proposals by substantial margins, one related to borrowing limits for small-city school districts and another for sewage-treatment funding.
With Marmorato’s declaration of victory, the focus now turns to the official confirmation of results. The outcome of the 13th District is not just a win for the Republicans but also a narrative of change, suggesting a new political landscape in the Bronx and potentially, the wider city governance.
