A Whitestone small business owner is on the verge of upsetting a career politician in a northeast Queens City Council race in an election night stunner.
Republican candidate Vickie Paladino edged former state Senator and Councilman Tony Avella with nearly 50% of the vote, with 99% of the scanners reporting, to capture the District 19 seat on the City Council held by term-limited Paul Vallone. While Paladino is leading in the race, according to the city’s Board of Elections unofficial results, absentee ballots must be counted. The absentee ballot count begins next week.
