Republican Vickie Paladino declared victory over Democrat Tony Avella in the northeast Queens race to represent City Council District 19, two weeks after Election Day when she held the lead.
The Whitestone community activist and small business owner for more than three decades saw enough on Tuesday, Nov. 16, after the Board of Elections began counting mail-in ballots the day before.
“After two long days at the Board of Elections overseeing the absentee ballot tally, we can confirm that our election night victory will stand, and Vickie Paladino will be the next Council member to represent the people of District 19 on the City Council,” a Paladino campaign spokesman said.
