2021 New York City Council election


The 2021 New York City Council elections were held on November 2, 2021. The primary elections were held on June 22, 2021. There were several special elections for seats vacated in 2020 and early 2021; these special elections were the first to use ranked-choice voting in city council elections after it was approved by a ballot question in 2019 and the second to use ranked-choice voting since New York City repealed PR-STV in 1945. Due to redistricting after the 2020 Census, candidates also ran for two-year terms instead of four-year terms for the first time, stemming from the New York City Charter overhaul in 1989. Four-year terms will resume in the 2025 election after another two-year election in 2023.

Incumbents not seeking re-election

Term-limited incumbents

28 council members are prevented from seeking a third consecutive term due to term limits that were renewed by voters in a ballot referendum in 2010.
DistrictIncumbentParty
1Margaret ChinD
3Corey JohnsonD
5Ben KallosD
6Helen RosenthalD
7Mark LevineD
10Ydanis RodríguezD
14Fernando CabreraD
16Vanessa GibsonD
19Paul ValloneD
20Peter KooD
25Danny DrommD
26Jimmy Van BramerD
27Daneek MillerD
29Karen KoslowitzD
32Eric UlrichR
33Stephen LevinD
34Antonio ReynosoD
35Laurie CumboD
36Robert CornegyD
38Carlos MenchacaD
39Brad LanderD
40Mathieu EugeneD
42Inez BarronD
46Alan MaiselD
47Mark TreygerD
49Debi RoseD
50Steven MatteoR

Resigned before election

During the 2017–2021 council session, 8 incumbents have resigned before the election for various reasons.
DistrictIncumbentPartyReason
11Andrew CohenDElected judge of the New York Supreme Court 12th Judicial District in 2020
12Andy KingDExpelled from the Council
15Ritchie TorresDElected to New York's in 2020
22Costa ConstantinidesDResigned to take a position as CEO of Variety Boys and Girls Club of Queens
24Rory LancmanDAppointed by Governor Andrew Cuomo as his Special Counsel for Ratepayer Protection
31Donovan RichardsDElected Queens Borough President in 2020
37Rafael EspinalDResigned to take job with the Freelancers Union
45Jumaane WilliamsDElected New York City Public Advocate in 2019
48Chaim DeutschDResigned after pleading guilty to tax fraud in federal court

Manhattan

District 1

The 1st district covers the very bottom of Manhattan, including the Financial District, Tribeca, and Soho. Incumbent Democrat Margaret Chin was term-limited and could not run for a fourth consecutive term. Christopher Marte was seen as the most progressive candidate in the race, while Jenny Low was noted for the major endorsements she had received and Gigi Li had outgoing councilwoman Chin's support. Marte's campaign was bolstered by anger within the district at Chin's ties to real-estate developers, as well as by name recognition Marte had gained while attempting to primary Chin in the previous council election.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Republican primary

  • Jacqueline Toboroff
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District 2

The 2nd district covers parts of the Lower East Side in Manhattan. Incumbent Democrat Carlina Rivera was running for reelection.

Democratic primary

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  • Juan Pagan
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District 3

The 3rd district covers parts of the West Side of Manhattan, including Chelsea, West Midtown, and Greenwich Village. Incumbent Democrat and current Council Speaker Corey Johnson was term-limited and could not run for a third consecutive term.

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District 4

The 4th district covers parts of the Lower East Side, East Midtown, and parts of the Upper East Side in Manhattan. The incumbent was Democrat Keith Powers, who won re-election defeating Republican David Casavis.

Democratic primary

Incumbent Councilman Keith Powers won the Democratic nomination unopposed.
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  • Jordana Lusk

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District 5

The 5th district covers parts of the Upper East Side in Manhattan. Incumbent Democrat Ben Kallos was term-limited and could not run for a third consecutive term. He ran for Manhattan Borough President.

Democratic primary

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  • Joshua Kravitz

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District 6

The 6th district covers most of the Upper West Side in Manhattan. Incumbent Democrat Helen Rosenthal was term-limited and could not run for a third consecutive term. She filed to run for New York City Comptroller but dropped out of the race. Sara Lind and Jeffrey Omura had an alliance during the campaign, with Lind's campaign asking voters to rank Omura second and Omura's campaign asking voters to rank Lind second. Gale Brewer, who was the Manhattan Borough President at the time and held this seat from 2002 to 2013, won the Democratic nomination.

Democratic primary

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  • Seth Rosen
  • David Zelman
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District 7

The 7th district covers West Harlem and Hamilton Heights in Manhattan. Incumbent Democrat Mark Levine was term-limited and could not run for a third consecutive term. Levine was running for Manhattan Borough President. Shaun Abreu was considered the frontrunner in the race, while five of his opponents – Maria Ordoñez, Stacy Lynch, Marti Allen-Cummings, Dan Cohen, and Corey Ortega – formed a ranked-choice coalition to oppose him.

Democratic primary

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  • Alberto Aguilar III
  • Jeanette Toomer

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District 9

The 9th district covers most of the central part of Harlem in Manhattan. Incumbent Democrat Bill Perkins ran for reelection. He is currently behind challenger Kristin Richardson Jordan, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, by 104 votes in the final RCV round. Due to the close margin, the race underwent a manual recount. On August 9, 2021, Perkins conceded the race to Jordan. The recount was completed on August 18, with Jordan winning by 114 votes.

Democratic primary

Candidates
  • William Allen, professor and founder of the Uptown Democratic Club
  • Cordell Cleare, Democratic District Leader in the 70th State Assembly district
  • Joshua Clennon, treasurer of Manhattan Community Board 10
  • William Council, coach
  • Pierre Gooding, deacon and attorney
  • Kristin Richardson Jordan, poet and activist
  • Ruth McDaniels, former NYPD supervisor
  • Bernadette McNear, program director
  • Athena Moore, activist
  • Bill Perkins, incumbent Councillor
  • Mario Rosser, partnership manager
  • Sheba Simpson, educator
  • Keith Taylor, member of Manhattan Community Board 10
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  • Malik Wright, political operative
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District 10

The 10th district covers the northernmost part of Manhattan, including Washington Heights, Inwood, and Marble Hill. Incumbent Democrat Ydanis Rodríguez was term-limited and could not run for a fourth consecutive term.

Democratic primary

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  • Manny De Los Santos
  • Everett Reed

Candidate

  • Edwin de la Cruz
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Manhattan/Bronx crossover

District 8

The 8th district covers East Harlem in Manhattan, Mott Haven and parts of High Bridge in The Bronx, and Randalls Island. Incumbent Democrat Diana Ayala was running for reelection.

Democratic primary

Candidates
  • Diana Ayala, incumbent Councillor
  • Antoinette Glover, pastor
  • Tamika Mapp, businesswoman and veteran
  • Manuel Onativia, consultant
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Bronx

District 11

The 11th district covers the most northwestern part of the Bronx, including Riverdale, Fieldston, Spuyten Devil, Kingsbridge, parts of Bedford Park, Norwood, Woodlawn, and parts of Wakefield. This seat is currently filled by Eric Dinowitz. The incumbent was Democrat Andrew Cohen, who was elected judge of the New York Supreme Court 12th Judicial District in 2020. A non-partisan special election was held on March 23, 2021, with the winner being eligible to run for a full term.
The election used ranked choice voting, with Eric Dinowitz remaining in the lead for all six rounds.

Special election

The special election was nonpartisan.
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  • Abigail Martin
  • Marcos Sierra

Democratic primary

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  • Jessica Haller
  • Nayma Silver
  • Dionel Then

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  • Brad Lander, New York City Councilmember for the 39th district—co-endorsement with Mino Lora
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District 12

The 12th district covers the most northeastern part of the Bronx, including Williamsbridge, Co-Op City, parts of Allerton, Eastchester, and parts of Wakefield. Incumbent Democrat Andy King, who was already term-limited, was expelled on October 5, 2020. A special election to determine his replacement took place on December 22, 2020, with Kevin Riley elected the winner. He was running for a full term.

Democratic primary

Candidates
  • Pamela Hamilton-Johnson, non-profit executive
  • Shanequa Martin, social worker
  • Kevin Riley, incumbent Councillor
    Endorsements
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District 13

The 13th district includes the most southeastern part of the Bronx, including Baychester, parts of Allerton, Pelham Parkway, Morris Park, Pelham Bay, Middletown, Country Club, Throggs Neck, and City Island. Incumbent Democrat Mark Gjonaj was eligible to run for a second term, but chose to retire instead.

Democratic primary

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District 14

The 14th district includes a section of the West Bronx, including Kingsbridge Heights, parts of Bedford Park, parts of Fordham, University Heights, parts of Tremont, and parts of Morris Heights. Incumbent Democrat Fernando Cabrera was term-limited and could not run for a fourth consecutive term. He filed to run for Bronx Borough President.

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District 15

The 15th district covers parts of the North Central Bronx, including Belmont, West Farms, parts of Bedford Park, parts of Fordham, parts of Tremont, and Little Yemen. This seat is currently filled by Oswald Feliz. The incumbent was Democrat Ritchie Torres, was elected to New York's in 2020. A special election was held on March 23, 2021, with the winner being eligible to run for a full term.
The election used ranked choice voting, with Oswald Feliz remaining in the lead for all six rounds.

Special election

The special election was nonpartisan.

Republican primary

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  • Elisa Crespo
  • Julian Sepulveda

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District 16

The 16th district includes parts of the South Bronx, including parts of Melrose, parts of High Bridge, parts of Morris Heights, and Morrisania. Incumbent Democrat Vanessa Gibson was term-limited and could not run for a third consecutive term. She filed to run for Bronx Borough President.

Democratic primary

Candidates
  • Abdourahamane Diallo, businessman
  • Ahmadou Diallo, businessman
  • Yves Filius, Democratic District Leader in the 77th assembly district
  • Althea Stevens, activist
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  • Leonardo Coello
  • Uniqua Smith
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District 17

The 17th district includes parts of the South Bronx, including Port Morris, parts of Melrose, Hunts Point, Longwood, and parts of Soundview. Incumbent Democrat Rafael Salamanca was running for reelection.

Democratic primary

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  • Rafael Acevedo
  • George Alvarez
  • Lattina Brown
  • Melody Jimenez
  • Glennis Sanchez Severino
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District 18

The 18th district covers parts of the Southeast Bronx, including Parkchester, Unionport, Castle Hill, Clason Point, and parts of Soundview. Incumbent Democrat Rubén Díaz Sr. was eligible to run for a second term, but chose to retire instead.

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Bronx/Queens crossover

District 22

The 22nd district is currently vacant. The incumbent was Democrat Costa Constantinides, who was term-limited and could not run for a third consecutive term. He resigned to take a position as CEO of Variety Boys and Girls Club of Queens.

Democratic primary

Candidates
  • Leonardo Bullaro, program director
  • Tiffany Cabán, attorney and candidate for Queens District Attorney in 2019
  • John Ciafone, landlord
  • Catherine Gioino, journalist
  • Evie Hantzopoulos, non-profit executive
  • Nick Velkov, yoga instructor
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Republican primary

  • Felicia Kalan
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Green primary

  • Edwin DeJesus

Queens

District 19

In the 19th district, Democrat Paul Vallone was term-limited. Republican Vickie Paladino won a close race over Democrat Tony Avella.

Republican primary

Conservative primary

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District 20

In the 20th district, Democrat Peter Koo was term-limited and could not run for a fourth consecutive term.

Democratic primary

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  • Isak Khaimov
  • Sam Wong

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District 21

In the 21st district, incumbent Francisco Moya was running for re-election.

Democratic primary

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District 23

In the 23rd district, incumbent Democrat Barry Grodenchik was eligible to run for a second term, but chose to retire instead.

Republican primary

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  • Seth Breland
  • Janet Dennis
  • Christopher Fuentes-Padilla
  • Mandeep Sahi

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District 24

In the 24th district. incumbent was Democrat Rory Lancman, who resigned his seat on November 2, 2020. A special election was held on February 2, 2021, with James F. Gennaro winning and being eligible to run for a full term.

Special election

Percentages may be slightly different from 100% due to rounding.

Republican primary

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  • Stanley Arden
  • Joshua Maynard

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District 25

In the 25th district, incumbent Democrat Danny Dromm was term-limited and could not run for a fourth consecutive term.

Democratic primary

Candidates
  • Fatima Baryab, non-profit executive
  • Yi Chen, activist and NYPD auxiliary
  • Shekar Krishnan, civil rights lawyer
  • Liliana Melo, District Leader for the 34th State Assembly district
  • Manuel Perez, interpreter and life coach
  • Alfonso Quiroz, vice-president of the JFK Democratic Club
  • William Salgado, attorney and District Leader for the 39th State Assembly district
  • Carolyn Tran, former chief of staff to Danny Dromm
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  • Lucy Cerezo Scully
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Libertarian primary

  • Suraj Jaswal, director of operations

District 26

In the 26th district, incumbent Democrat Jimmy Van Bramer was term-limited and could not run for a fourth consecutive term. He filed to run for Queens Borough President.

Democratic primary

Candidates
  • Amit Bagga, former deputy director of the New York City Census
  • Jonathan Bailey, former chairman of the Queens Democratic Socialists of America
  • Lorenzo Brea, activist
  • Julia Forman, former prosecutor
  • Glennis Gomez, political staffer
  • Denise Keehan-Smith, former chairperson of Queens Community Board 2
  • Badrun Khan, financial manager; candidate for NY-14 in 2020
  • Hailie Kim, adjunct professor at Hunter College
  • Jesse Laymon, political strategist
  • Sultan al Maruf, IT director
  • Brent O'Leary, legal consultant
  • Steven Raga, former Chief of Staff to Brian Barnwell
  • Emily Sharpe, attorney
  • Julie Won, member of Queens Community Board 2
  • Ebony Young, non-profit executive
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  • Tavo Bortoli
  • Giselle Burgess
  • Benjamin Guttmann
  • Bianca Ozeri
  • Micah Peterson
  • Alexander Rias
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Republican primary

  • Marvin Jeffcoat, veteran

District 27

In the 27th district, incumbent Democrat Daneek Miller was term-limited and could not run for a third consecutive term.

Democratic primary

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  • Timothy Turane

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District 28

In the 28th district, incumbent Democrat Adrienne Adams was running for re-election.

Democratic primary

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  • Martin Hightower

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District 29

In the 29th district, incumbent Democrat Karen Koslowitz was term-limited and could not run for a fourth consecutive term. She had already served five terms on the NYC Council, but non-consecutively.

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District 30

In the 30th district, incumbent Democrat Robert Holden was running for re-election.

Democratic primary

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District 31

The 31st district is currently filled by Selvena Brooks-Powers, who will hold it for the remainder of the current term. The previous incumbent was Democrat Donovan Richards and was term-limited, preventing him from seeking a third consecutive term. He was elected Queens Borough President in 2020 and resigned his seat to assume that office on December 2, 2020. A special election was held on February 23, 2021, with the winner serving out Richard's term, which runs until the end of 2021 and being eligible to run for a full term in 2021.
The election was New York City's first ranked choice voting election with multiple rounds, and Selvena N. Brooks-Powers remained in the lead throughout all nine rounds.

Democratic primary

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  • Monique Charlton
  • Franck Joseph

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District 32

In the 32nd district, incumbent Republican Eric Ulrich was term-limited and could not run for a fourth consecutive term.

Republican primary

Candidates
  • Joann Ariola, chair of the Queens Republican Party
  • Stephen Sirgiovanni, businessman
    Results

Democratic primary

Candidates
  • Kaled Alamarie, city planner
  • Bella Matias, non-profit executive
  • Michael Scala, attorney
  • Shaeleigh Severino, paralegal
  • Helal Sheikh, former educator
  • Felicia Singh, educator
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  • Joel Gokool, consultant
  • Raimondo Graziano, activist
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General election

Candidates
  • Joann Ariola, chair of the Queens Republican Party
  • Felicia Singh, educator
  • Kenichi Wilson, chair of Queens Community Board 9
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  • Augustus Agate, former New York Supreme Court 11th Judicial District
  • Joe Fox, former Chief of Transit for the NYPD
  • Romeo Hitlall, President of the Richmond Hill-South Ozone Park Lions Club
  • Robert Holden, Member of the New York City Council from the 30th district
  • Danny Ruscillo, NYPD Community Partner for the 100th Precinct
  • Eric Ulrich, Member of the New York City Council from the 32nd district
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  • Sant Baba Prem Singh Sikh Cultural Society of New York
NewspapersLeader–ObserverNew York Daily NewsNew York Post
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Queens/Brooklyn crossover

District 34

In the 34th district, incumbent Democrat Antonio Reynoso was term-limited and could not run for a third consecutive term. He filed to run for Brooklyn Borough President.

Democratic primary

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  • Terrell Finner
  • Danny Marin
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Staten Island

District 49

In the 49th district, incumbent Democrat Debi Rose was term-limited and could not run for a fourth consecutive term.

Democratic primary

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  • Philippe-Edner Apostol-Marius
  • Vincent Johnson
  • Aidan Rivera

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Republican primary

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  • Nicholas Robbins

District 50

In the 50th district, incumbent Republican Steven Matteo was term-limited and could not run for a third consecutive term. He filed to run for Staten Island Borough President, but lost the Republican primary to Vito Fossella. The district was won by David Carr, Matteo's chief of staff.

Republican primary

Candidates
  • David Carr, Chief of Staff to Steven Matteo
  • Jordan Hafizi, former journalist
  • Marko Kepi, [United States United States Marine Corps|Marine Corps|Marine] reservist and activist
  • Sam Pirozollo, optician
  • Kathleen Sforza, businesswoman
    Campaign
The two frontrunners for the open council seat were David Carr, chief of staff to outgoing councilman Matteo, and Marko Kepi, a Marine reservist who had previously lost in a campaign for the New York State Assembly. The race became contentious as results were tabulated, with Carr accusing Kepi of engaging in an illegal ballot harvesting operation and forging signatures on absentee ballots. In response, Kepi accused Carr of using his influence to get the New York City Board of Elections to systematically reject ballots cast by the Albanian-American community.
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Democratic primary

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District 51

In the 51st district, incumbent Republican Joe Borelli ran for re-election and was re-elected over Olivia Drabczyk.

Republican primary

Candidates

Democratic primary

Candidates
  • Olivia Drabczyk, teacher

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2022 Speaker election

Corey Johnson could not run for re-election as Speaker because of term limits. The following individuals expressed their interest in running:
Joe Borelli was expected to lead the Republican minority.