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In the 34th District: Reyna reigns — but barely

By Ben Muessig
The Brooklyn Paper
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Incumbent Councilwoman Diana Reyna (left), seen here protesting a rezoning proposal backed by her former mentor Vito Lopez, narrowly beat a Lopez-backed rival in the Democratic primary on Tuesday.

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Diana Reyna 4,205 (45.57 percent)
Maritza Davila 3,982 (43.15 percent)

Gerry Esposito 1,041 (11.28 percent)

34th Council District covering Bushwick and parts of Williamsburg

Incumbent Councilwoman Reyna narrowly defeated a Democratic Party-backed upstart in what turned out to be one of the closest races this primary season.

Reyna — who came into politics under the tutelage of powerful Democratic Party boss, Assemblyman Vito Lopez (D-Bushwick) — beat her Lopez-supported foe by just 223 votes, capping off a bizarre race that centered around the city’s controversial plan to allow developers to build housing in a largely industrial swath of land called the Broadway Triangle in the neighboring 33rd Council District.

Reyna opposes the plan because it grants land to two non-profits with ties to Lopez, while her opponent, Davila — an employee of one of the non-profits — supports it.

“This was your victory, this was the people’s victory,” Reyna told supporters, who were jubilant and visibly relieved after the nail-biting conclusion of the tight race. “We sent the loudest message to the powers that be that they have to remember to respond to the demands, the needs of this district — and not their personal interest.”

Longtime Community Board 1 District Manager Gerry Esposito came in a distant third.

©2009 Community Newspaper Group

←Rhythm & News: Frank’s wild about Judge Schack!
→McMahon on Line 1: Mike likes The Speech — but wants more details

Reader Feedback

Anonymous from Bushwick says:
It was a narrow win because poll workers were being encouraged to vote for Davila.
Sept. 16, 2009, 3:33 pm
Longtime Resident from Bushwick says:
It was a narrow win because voters were being encouraged to vote for Davila by poll workers...I wonder what they were promised, low income housing perhaps, think again. Look around...It's changing, yes it is, to Mr. Lopez's and Ms. Battaglia's benefit. Half of those votes for Davila should be Ms. Reyna's.
Sept. 16, 2009, 3:37 pm
Williamsburg Resident from Williamsburg says:
That is correct. I was a poll watcher yesterday and I witness how a poll coordinator bad mouthing Diana Reyna with other poll workers. He spoke loud and in front of voters. How can we hire unprofessional people like this.
Sept. 16, 2009, 4:41 pm
Pacholo from REd Hook says:
I heard those rumblings way down here in Red Hook. Vito Lopez sponsored a block party at Rennassiance Ct. in Bushwick on Sunday to sweeten the blind and the old to vote for Davila. Diana Reyna is right on the Triangle. Davila should've attached her on Term Limits but I guess she didn't do her home work.
Sept. 16, 2009, 8:55 pm
Longtime Resident from Bushwick says:
I think the term limits should apply to the State Assembly too. Mr. Lopez needs to go, he does not have the interests of our community as his priority. He is our Assemblyman, head of the Housing Committee in Albany and very, very involved with one of the organizations that usually gets the contracts to renovate or build new housing. I call that a conflict of interest.
Sept. 16, 2009, 10:15 pm
Lontime Resident from Williamsburg says:
I agree Vito Lopez needs to go. He is a man that has taken the power he has been given and is abusing it. He does not care for our community. I am tired of him using our community for his benefit. That is why he supported Maritza. He needs what Diana could not be for him a puppet.
Sept. 17, 2009, 11:39 am
Longtime Resident from Williamsburg says:
I agree Vito Lopez needs to go. He is a man that has taken the power he has been given and is abusing it. He does not care for our community. I am tired of him using our community for his benefit. That is why he supported Maritza. He needs what Diana could not be for him a puppet.
Sept. 17, 2009, 11:39 am

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