Constantinides, Van Bramer, Re-Elected In Massive Landslides to Represent Astoria, Long Island City in City Council

Councilmember Costa Constantinides (Photo courtesy of Costa Constantinides)

Nov. 8, 2017 by Nathaly Pesantez

Councilmembers Costa Constantinides (D-Astoria) and Jimmy Van Bramer (D-Long Island City) were overwhelmingly elected to represent Districts 22 and 26, respectively, once more in the Nov. 7 general elections.

Constantinides was chosen to represent the district for a second time after winning with 92 percent of all votes received. Kathleen Springer, his main opponent and Astoria activist who ran as an independent, received a little less than 7 percent of the votes.

Constantinides, a member of several city council committees and chair of the environmental committe, ran a re-election campaign focusing on the environment, science education, and revitalizing parks. He re-tweeted a slew of congratulatory statements on his win from constituents.

In Sunnyside and Long Island City, Van Bramer received 85 percent of the vote, securing a third-term in city council since his win in 2009. His opponent, Republican candidate Marvin Jeffcoat, came in with 14 percent of the vote, according to the Board of Elections.

cilmember Jimmy Van Bramer (D-Sunnyside) at Aubergine Cafe yesterday after his win (photo courtesy of Jimmy Van Bramer)

Van Bramer ran a re-election campaign with a focus on strengthening education, supporting libraries and the arts, and enhancing quality of life in the district. Jeffcoat, an Army veteran and facility manager for the Department of Health, pointed to education, job creation, and safer streets in his bid.

“We won!” Van Bramer tweeted yesterday after celebrating at Aubergine Cafe on Skillman Avenue. “A resounding victory for our #QueensValues! Thank you all! #Grateful.”

In other Queens neighborhoods, Daniel Dromm (D-Jackson Heights) ran unopposed and secured a third term in office.

The results of District 30’s race, forming parts of Maspeth, Middle Village, Ridgewood, Woodside, and Glendale, have been too close to call since last night. Elizabeth Crowley, who has served the district since 2010, trails behind Robert Holden, a community advocate who ran under the Republican and “Dump de Blasio” ticket”, by 133 per the last reported numbers by the Board of Elections.

“”I am proud of my record and the campaign my team and I ran based on truth and hard work,” Crowley said in a statement. “…I am confident once all of the numbers come in, we will have four more years to build on that success.”

Crowley will be the only incumbent city council member to lose her seat if Holden wins the election.

Mayor Bill de Blasio was re-elected to a second term, with 66 percent of the vote. His main challenger, Nicole Malliotakis, received 27 percent of the vote, with the majority of them coming from Staten Island.