NYC Mayoral Election Heats Up in Queens
As the city struggles with affordability and housing, the outcome of the mayoral election and local races will have a significant impact on the future of Queens and the entire city, with voters seeking a leader who can address their concerns and provide effective solutions to the city's pressing issues.
Voters in Queens turned out in large numbers on a sweltering Election Day to cast their ballots in the highly contested mayoral race and several local elections, with affordability, housing, and crime being top concerns.
The mayoral contest between Queens-born former Governor Andrew Cuomo and Queens Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani was at the top of the ballot, with voters expressing a range of views on the candidates. Some cited Cuomo's experience, while others supported Mamdani's progressive platform. In local races, several open council seats in Queens saw a flood of money and endorsements, with candidates vying for the support of voters.
In District 28, a bellwether seat being vacated by City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, candidates Tyrell Hankerson and Japneet Singh were seen as front-runners. Singh criticized Hankerson for taking money from special interests, while Hankerson touted his experience and support from key endorsements. Voters in Ridgewood battled the heat to cast their ballots, with some expressing concerns about the cost of rent and others citing the need for fresh leadership.
The election saw a high turnout, with over 710,000 New Yorkers casting their ballots between Election Day and early voting. In Queens, 142,693 voters had cast their ballots as of 3 p.m., despite the record-breaking heat that prompted the city to open cooling centers across the borough.