There were few surprises in Tuesday’s general election in Queens.
Almost all of the key races were lopsided in favor of the incumbents. Mayor Bill de Blasio, Public Advocate Letitia James and Comptroller Scott Stringer easily won their re-election bids. Queens voters also re-elected Queens Borough President Melinda Katz to her second term.
The wildest race of the night occurred in District 30 where incumbent Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley faced off against Juniper Park Civic Association President Bob Holden. Though she won the Democratic primaries handily — she was able to amass 63.8 percent of the votes (3,496 votes) to Holden’s 36.2 percent (1,986 votes) — Holden is currently up by 133 votes. (Holden 10,211, Crowley 10,088).
The 30th District includes Ridgewood, Glendale, Maspeth, Middle Village, Woodhaven and Woodside.
There were three proposals on the ballot regarding holding a constitutional convention, cutting public pensions for elected officials who were convicted of a felony and modifying forest preserve lands.
The majority of New Yorkers voted not to hold a constitutional convention — 83.2 percent voted against the proposal (2,704,143 votes) versus 16.8 percent who voted for the proposal (544,889).
The second proposal was passed with 72.9 percent of people (2,318,077) voting to cut public pensions for convicted government officials.
New Yorkers voted for the third proposal, which would modify forest preserve lands in the Adirondacks and Catskills by creating a 250-acre land bank, by a slim margin — 52 percent (1,617,375 votes) voted for it while 48 percent voted against (1,491,150 votes) it. Local governments will now be able to request forest preserve land for projects in exchange for the state acquiring the 250 acres.
Here’s a recap of the other City Council contests in Queens:
19th District (Auburndale, Bay Terrace, Bayside, Beechhurst, College Point, Douglaston, Flushing, Little Neck, Malba, Whitestone): Councilman Paul Vallone won a second term in office by defeating challenger Paul Graziano, an urban planner, and Republican Konstantinos Poulidis. Vallone tallied 14,284 votes (57.5 percent) while Graziano secured 4,457 (17.9 percent) and Poulidis received 6,121 votes (24.6 percent).
22rd District (Astoria, Jackson Heights, Woodside, East Elmhurst): Incumbent Councilman Costa Constantinides handily won re-election against challenger Kathleen Springer, who entered the race in September. He received 16,915 votes (93.4 percent) to Springer’s 1,186 votes (6.6 percent).
23rd District (Bayside, Bellerose, Douglaston, Floral Park, Fresh Meadows, Glen Oaks, Hollis, Hollis Hills, Holliswood, Little Neck, Queens Village): Incumbent Councilman Barry Grodenchik defeated Republican nominee Joe Concannon by tallying 14,837 votes (64.7 percent) to Concannon’s 7,641 (33.3 percent). Challenger John Lim garnered 445 votes (1.9 percent).
24th District (Kew Gardens Hills, Pomonok, Electchester, Fresh Meadows, Hillcrest, Jamaica Estates, Briarwood, Parkway Village, Jamaica Hills, Jamaica): Another easy winner on Primary Night was Councilman Rory Lancman, who defeated civil servant Mohammad Rahman and captured 88.7 percent of the vote. Lancman garnered 12,891 votes while Rahman had 1,635.
26th District (Long Island City, Sunnyside, Woodside) Incumbent Jimmy Van Bramer beat challenger Marvin Jeffcoat by garnering 16,515 votes (85.5 percent). Jeffcoat received 2,803 votes (14.5 percent).
27th District (Cambria Heights, Hollis, Jamaica, St. Albans, Queens Village and Springfield Gardens): Councilman I. Daneek Miller cruised to victory on Tuesday night in defeating challengers Rupert Green and Frank Francois. Miller received 22,731 votes (95.1 percent) to Green’s 743 (3.1 percent) and Francois’ 429 votes (1.8 percent).
32nd District (Belle Harbor, Breezy Point, Broad Channel, Howard Beach, Lindenwood, Neponsit, Ozone Park, Richmond Hill, Rockaway Park, Roxbury, South Ozone Park, West Hamilton Beach, Woodhaven): Incumbent Eric Ulrich beat challenger Mike Scala with 14,862 votes or 65.8 percent of the vote. Scala received 7,715 votes (34.2 percent).
