Councilmember Donovan Richards was given the go ahead to keep the City Council seat he has briefly held since March’s special election.
Richards declared victory after receiving over 50 percent of the votes over his opponents, Michael Duncan, community activist, and Ricardo Brown, accountant.
In his first six months in office, Richards fought against Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s proposal to close daycares, libraries, after-school programs and firehouses in the district. He also brought in nearly $10 million in capital and expense funding for various projects including technology and school upgrades and library expansions.
He negotiated with the Bloomberg Administration to establish a Workforce Center in the district and voted to overturn the mayor’s veto on stop and frisk.
Before winning re-election, Richards worked for then-Councilmember James Sanders for about a decade. Sanders vacated the 31st District seat to successfully run for State Senate.
“Donovan is a young man who has tremendous vision,” said attorney Jacques Leandre at the polls on voting day, September 10.
Before the results came in, Leandre said the district would be “tremendously blessed by whoever wins,” including Duncan, who Leandre said has “tremendous passion.”
Duncan, restaurant owner and community activist, also ran in the special election.
During his term, Richards said he will focus on education, jobs and affordable housing within Rosedale, Laurelton, Springfield Gardens and the Rockaways.
