Paul Vallone will represent the areas of Bayside, College Point, Douglaston, Flushing, Little Neck and Whitestone in the City Council for another four years.
The incumbent candidate received roughly 57 percent of the vote on Nov. 7, according to unofficial results from the New York City Board of Elections. It will be Vallone’s second term representing District 19.
Republican opponent Konstantinos Poulidis, a 20-year-old Queens College student, garnered the second most votes with 24.6 percent. Paul Graziano, a land preservationist who ran under the Reform Party line after being defeated in the Democratic primary, received 17.9 percent.
Friends, family and supporters began to pile into Bourbon Street’s private party room at around 9:30 p.m. for the election party. A half hour later, the councilman and his family appeared to applause.
“This was such an overwhelming victory,” Vallone told QNS. “To see everyone really stand together at every poll site — people kept coming and saying, ‘We’re here for you, Mr. Vallone.’ And today, everyone voted.”
During his campaign, the councilman touted his dedication to improving the district’s schools and parks during his first term in office. Those backing his bid for re-election included Governor Andrew Cuomo, the United Federation of Teachers and the Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association.
“What a difference when everyone comes out and stands together and says, ‘We’re gonna get involved in this election,'” Vallone continued. “We had religious, ethnic communities, civic, union leaders. Everywhere I turned, there was someone else to say ‘Thank you’ to.”
