By Ivan Pereira
City Councilman Eric Gioia’s (D-Sunnyside) run for the public advocate’s seat ended in defeat when he finished third in Tuesday’s Democratic primary, which resulted in a run-off between rivals Councilman Bill de Blasio (D-Brooklyn) and Mark Green.
De Blasio had 32.61 percent of the vote with 112,556 constituents voting for him compared to the 106,654 voters, or30.90 percent, who chose Green, according to preliminary results from NY 1. Gioia came in third with 63,616 votes, or 18.43 percent, according to the NY 1.
A runoff primary for public advocate is likely to be scheduled take place on Sept. 29.
Gioia’s office declined to comment on the results of the primary.
Norman Siegel took fourth place with 49, 283votes, or 14.28 percent, followed by Imtiaz Syed, who had 3.78 percent of the vote with 13,035 New Yorkers picking him for the seat, according to the NY 1.
The winner will face Republican Alex Zablocki in the November election. Incumbent Betsy Gotbaum declined to run for a third term.
A day before the primary, Gioia’s wife, Lisa Hernandez Gioia, gave birth to the couple’s second daughter, Rosalee.
Despite Gioia’s loss, some voters in Queens said they backed the councilman because of his previous experience fighting for the rights of western Queens residents. Gioia has been an outspoken advocate for various issues, including the rising cost of utilities, food stamps and tenants rights.
“I’m a big Eric Gioia fan,” said Queensbridge Houses resident Corinne Haynes, 48.
Green previously held the public advocate post for two terms from 1993 to 2001 and made an unsuccessful run for the mayor’s office in 2001.
De Blasio was first elected to the Council in 2001 and has served two terms representing the 39th Council District in Brooklyn. He was nearly knocked off the ballot in July due to a clerical error his office made when submitting their campaign signatures.
Siegel is the former director of the New York Civil Liberties Union and is an active civil liberties attorney in his own private practice.
Jeremy Walsh contributed to this article.
Reach reporters Ivan Pereira and Jeremy Walsh at timesledgernews@cnglocal.com.
