After a long and competitive struggle, Mathieu Eugene successfully fought off opposition last night, and is expected to win a third term as District 40 (Prospect Lefferts Gardens, Flatbush, East Flatbush, Ditmas Park) city council member.
According to the unofficial vote tally, Eugene received 5,414 votes, or 41.1% of the electorate, while challenger Brian Cunningham received 30.3%, or 3,991 votes. Pia Raymond came in third with 2,956 votes, or 22.4%, and Jen Berkley received 6.2% of the vote, or 822 votes.
“Today I am very grateful to God, and I am very grateful for all of my constituents who have voted for me,” said Eugene, who gathered with supporters at 2139 Beverly Avenue. “This is not my victory, this is their victory. I want to let them know that this victory gives me more obligation to work harder and to do more for the district.”
Eugene added that one of his top priorities in a third term would be renewing his focus on healthcare. He argued that without quality healthcare for constituents, issues such as housing or education would be eclipsed by the problems of an unhealthy community. He said he specifically hopes to introduce legislation calling on the city, state, and federal government to invest in the prevention of stroke.
“This is one battle I’m going to fight,” said Eugene. “And I’m asking everybody, medical professionals, doctors, nurses, elected officials and citizens, all of us, we have got to come together as a city to prevent the number of people suffering of stroke.”
Across the district at BKLYN Commons, Cunningham was wrapping up his own watch party by 11 p.m. The mood in the room, full of volunteers, supporters, and campaign staff, was surprisingly cheerful. Though they knew that Eugene would win the nomination, the group cheered when it became clear that Eugene and Cunningham were only about ten percent apart.
Cunningham cited low voter turnout and a vote fractured by the number of challengers, but strongly implied that the race was not over yet. He said that he was a Reform Party candidate in the general election, and that he and his wife Stephanie would contemplate a third party run.
“I still feel very encouraged by the people of this district and what they’ve accomplished, I think it sends a very strong message that they want a progressive, bold leader who’s going to take on the establishment,” said Cunningham. “I am still responsible for everything I heard in this campaign. Every door that I knocked on, every person that gave me their vote tonight, I will still be their voice.”
The issues in the race centered on affordable housing, education, immigration, and healthcare, which Eugene often touted as his main contribution to the district. Candidates debated the best ways to protect immigrants, educate young community members, and above all, stem the displacement that they blamed on an absence of affordable housing in the area.
Challengers attacked Eugene for his decision to run for a third term, as well as what they called a lack of commitment to the issue of affordable housing. Each candidate struggled to cut into the incumbent’s base through canvassing and door-knocking. Raymond was the only candidate receiving public matching funds.
Despite the contentious battle with his challengers, Eugene argued that above all, it was crucial to unite for the district, and that he would be open to working with Cunningham, Raymond, and Berkley.
“There’s been a lot of energy. They put their name out there, they worked hard. I want to commend them for that,” said Eugene. “And I want them to know that I will work with all of them, for the betterment of the district, and the betterment of all New York City. Now the voting is over, the campaign is over, we should all come together to work for the empowerment of our district and the good for the city of New York.”
