Elsie Encarnacion, chief of staff to outgoing City Council Deputy Speaker Diana Ayala, is in a strong position to win the Democratic primary for New York City Council District 8, after emerging with a commanding early lead in a competitive, seven-way race.
According to preliminary results from the New York City Board of Elections, Encarnacion secured 28.7% of first-choice votes in the June 2025 primary, ahead of public interest attorney Wilfredo López, who received 18.3%, and Clarisa Alayeto, chair of Bronx Community Board 1, who earned 15.3%. The final outcome will be determined through the city’s ranked-choice voting system, but Encarnacion’s early advantage—combined with her institutional support—positions her as the likely winner.
