Susan Zhuang on Wednesday declared victory in the Democratic primary race for city council in the recently-redrawn 43rd District, the city’s first Asian-majority council district.
Zhuang, the former chief of staff to Assembly Member William Colton, has tentatively won the three-way race with 58.57% and 2,013 votes, with 97.89% of scanners reporting by Wednesday morning, according to unofficial results from the city’s Board of Elections.
Zhuang took to social media to celebrate becoming her party’s nominee in the general election, scheduled for Nov. 7.
“WE WIN!!! I want to thank my husband David, my daughters, Assemblyman Colton, former Councilman Treyger , my campaign team, all the volunteers who came out to drive our campaign forward and get out the vote, and most of all, the voters who have put their faith in me,” she tweeted. “I look forward to all of us coalescing to win this seat in November.”
Zhuang bested opponent Wai-Yee Chan who secured 31.02% of the vote, while Stanley Ng tallied 9.51% of votes.
Meanwhile, Ying Tang is on the verge of winning the Republican nomination for the seat covering parts of Bensonhurst, Borough Park, and Sunset Park.
As of Wednesday morning, Ying Tan had 50.67% and 415 votes, while Vito LaBella trailed behind with 47.25% and 387 votes.
After the district was redrawn last year, Democratic incumbent Justin Brannan chose to run in neighboring District 43 — which more closely resembled the old District 47, and included the bulk of his constituency — leaving the field wide open for newcomers like Zhuang.
Approximately 54% of voters in the District 43 are Asian-American after the redistricting process drew Bensonhurst and Sunset Park into the district, cutting out Bay Ridge and Dyker Heights.
