By Naeisha Rose
Adrienne Adams, the chairwoman of Community Board 12, the second largest in Queens, led the Democratic ticket for District 28 in the three-way primary.
She had two very different challengers on her road to becoming the first woman to represent the district in City Council during the primary.
Adams was up against public defender Hettie Powell and public sector worker Richard David.
With 83 percent of the vote counted, Adams captured 39.6 percent followed by David with 30.6 percent and Powell with 29.8 percent, according to unofficial returns reported byWNY
Adams and David were neck and neck until 8:30 p.m., at which point she pulled away from the 31-year-old candidate.
Adams campaigned to the very last minute with an assist from her friend, state Assemblywoman Alicia Hyndman (D-Springfield Gardens).
“I know she would make a good leader for this district,” Hyndman said. “A lot of the results that we have in [school] District 29 is because of parents like her who got together and said we are going to make a difference, so I can imagine what she would do as a councilwoman.”
“She is going to do great things for education and seniors in this community,” Hyndman said as she rallied for Adams at PS 80 in Rochdale, which is outside her own jurisdiction.
Before the results came in, Adams thanked her team for their work in her eight-week campaign.
“I just feel very humbled to have the team that I had,” said Adams, who joined the race after the district’s former councilman, Ruben Wills, was still facing charges of corruption. He was forced out of the seat in August when he was convicted of stealing public funds for his own personal use.
“I never dreamed we would conquer as much as we have conquered,” Adams said. “I am looking forward to leading the district and I am honored to prospectively make history as the first councilwoman for District 28.”
Her Election Night watch party was held at the Hilton JFK, located at 144-02 135th Ave. in South Ozone Park.
Adams will be up against Republican contender Ivan Mossop Jr. in the general election on Nov. 7.
Reach reporter Naeisha Rose by e-mail at nrose
