By Naeisha Rose
Despite low turnout in the morning and the afternoon hours, voters showed up in the thousands in southeast Queens before the clock struck nine Tuesday to give Councilman I. Daneek Miller (D-St. Albans) and Community Board 12 Chairwoman Adrienne Adams the win for the Democratic ticket in the general election Nov. 7.
Adams won the primary contest for the seat recently vacated by Ruben Wills, who was sent to prison last month after being convicted of stealing public funds for his own personal use.
Nearly 19,000 voters went to the polls in the two southeast Queens races. District 27, which Miller represents, had almost 10,000 voters and District 28, where Adams is running, had over 8,500 ballots cast.
The primary for the seat held by Miller brought out the most voters of any district in the borough, while the turnout in the three-way race won by Adams drew the second highest number.
Miller racked up 7,797 votes and his challenger, former U.S. Marine and retired NYPD lieutenant Anthony Rivers, attracted 2,144 votes. District 27 covers Queens Village, St. Albans, Cambria Heights, Hollis and parts of Jamaica.
Over in District 28, which includes Rochdale Village, Ozone Park, Richmond Hill, Jamaica and South Ozone Park, Adams captured 3,341 votes, eclipsing Richard David with 2,763 votes and Hettie Powell with 2,483.
“Our work over four years changed the narrative and this campaign let us tell a different story,” Miller said Wednesday. “As we look to the future, let’s pledge to use the opportunity we achieved yesterday to bolster what we built, reach new heights as a community and continue to let everyone know about today’s southeast Queens.”
Throughout his victory speech, he highlighted the gains the community has made under his leadership.
“With your help – after they count all the votes, we overcame the fake claims by nearly a four-to-one margin with the truth: schools that put our young scholars on the path to reach their potential, safer communities, investment in our parks, senior centers, affordable housing and libraries, more people working — the lowest unemployment rate in a city and an unprecedented $2 billion investment — two-thirds of our city’s water and sewer budget to address flooding.”
He went on to say he protected union jobs with good pay and helped to pass paid sick leave.
Adams ran a strong campaign against tough rivals.
David, a public sector worker, and public defender Powell nipped at her toes throughout the night, but they could not top her vote total, which gave 38.9 percent of the ballots,
“I am so honored to have won the primary election in City Council District 28,” Adams said in a Facebook post. “Thank you all for your support and determination over the last few weeks. We could not have accomplished this without you.”
Miller will be facing off against Green Party candidate Frank Francois and Republican challenger Rupert Green in the general election. Adams will be opposed by Republican candidate Ivan Mossop.
Reach reporter Naeisha Rose by e-mail at nrose
