Councilmember Donovan Richards (D-Arverne, Brookville, Edgemere, Far Rockaway, Laurelton, Rosedale, Springfield Gardens) won the June Democractic primary election for Queens Borough President after opponent and runner-up Elizabeth Crowley gave up her bid for the seat and endorsed him as the candidate on Tuesday.
Richards will go on to represent the Democratic Party in the general election in November. As the probable Queens Borough President-Elect because Queens is a largely Democratic borough, Richards will be the first black man elected to the office in history.
“I’ve spent my life fighting for racial equity, and I’ll continue that fight in my remaining months in the City Council and in the future at Borough Hall,” said Richards about his win.
The New York City Board of Elections has not yet announced the official results for the Queens Borough President Democratic Primary but Crowley ceded the win to Richards in a phone call. The numbers were not in her favor, she said, despite her campaign’s hard work.
Crowley asked her supporters to back Richards saying that Queens, which was one of the hardest hit boroughs by the COVID-19 pandemic, needs unity to be able to rebuild.
“During these most challenging times, we need unity to bring our great borough together,” she said. “Queens deserves its fair share. To accomplish this we must unite and emerge stronger than ever.”
Richards echoed her statement.
“Over the last few months I’ve spoken with thousands of Queens voters about the issues facing our communities. In a borough as diverse as ours, each neighborhood often has their own priorities, but we remain one Queens,” he said.
Over the course of the campaign, he’s paid attention to the various issues that the other four candidates –– Elizabeth Crowley, Councilmember Costa Constantinides (D-Astoria, East Elmhurst, Jackson Heights, Woodside), Anthony Miranda, and Dao Yin –– raised, he said. He looks forward to working with them to rebuild Queens.
“All of them want the best for our borough,” he said.
