File Photo
Joann Ariola
By Michael V. Cusenza
“For the first time ever, my district will be represented by a woman next year,” Councilman Eric Ulrich (R-Ozone Park) wrote on Twitter Saturday as he captioned the final results for the Republican and Democrat primaries for Council District 32.
Joann Ariola handily defeated Steve Sirgiovanni, garnering 83 percent of the Republican primary vote.
In a closer Democrat tilt, Felicia Singh (52.6 percent) defeated Mike Scala (47.4 percent).
Ariola and Singh will face off in the general election on Nov. 2.
Photo Courtesy of Singh Campaign
Felicia Singh
“I’m honored that Republican voters have overwhelmingly chosen me as their candidate for this seat. I thank all the supporters, staff and volunteers who made it possible. Now, on to victory in the general. Voters of all political stripes are crying out for public safety and I am the only candidate who will fight for it, in our neighborhoods and throughout the city,” Ariola said on Wednesday, June 23.
“So very proud of Team Felicia and what we’ve accomplished together,” Singh posted to Twitter on Monday. “We set out to do something that many people told me was impossible, and we did it in the last Republican-held district in Queens.”
In another important borough battle, incumbent Borough president Donovan Richards, Jr. has defeated former Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley by a slim margin.
“I am honored that the voters have placed their faith in me to continue our Queens comeback. Our team has done so much in just over 150 days in office, opening an immigrant welcome center at Borough Hall, breaking ground on new units of real affordable housing, diversifying our Community Boards, and helping our small businesses. We’re ready to get back to work and build a Queens that works for everyone,” Richards said. “I would like to thank everyone on my team for their incredible effort on this campaign, especially our devoted campaign staff and volunteers. If you made a call, knocked on a door, or sent a text — you made this happen! Let’s celebrate this victory and then, let’s get to work!”
