By Phil Corso
Incumbent City Councilman Mark Weprin (D-Oakland Gardens) secured a second term after defeating Reform Party challenger Joseph Concannon in Tuesday’s election.
Weprin had collected 87.1 percent of the vote with 64 percent of precincts reporting as of 11 p.m., unofficial results from the Associated Press showed, with Concannon receiving 12.9 percent.
The Oakland Gardens lawmaker and former state assemblyman did not have an opponent in his bid for re-election until this past summer, when he took the lead on the Council’s opposition to the Police Department’s controversial stop-and-frisk policies. Concannon, a retired NYPD captain, threw his hat into the race soon after with hopes of defending the department and advocating for public safety in the northeast Queens district.
Weprin was first elected to the 23rd District of the City Council in 2009, representing Hollis Hills, Queens Village, Glen Oaks, Floral Park and Oakland Gardens. Concannon ran and lost last year as a Republican vying for the seat currently held by state Sen. Tony Avella (D-Bayside).
Reach reporter Phil Corso by e-mail at pcorso@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4573.
