ALBANY — Sen. Gustavo Rivera declared victory Tuesday night following a dramatic primary campaign that saw his own party back a more moderate challenger in the Democratic contest.
Rivera was fighting for his political life after the powerful Bronx Democratic Party sided with lawyer Miguelina Camilo over the incumbent following a messy redistricting process.
“Against a flood of special interest money — from real estate, from charter schools, and from right-wing Trump donors — and against every effort by the Bronx Democratic Party machine, we prevailed,” Rivera said in a statement. “And we prevailed because Bronxites know that the Bronx is not for sale.”
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The redrawn 33rd Senate District now includes all of Riverdale and covers central Bronx neighborhoods from Fordham, Belmont and Bedford Park to Van Nest.
Rivera was ahead by about 600 votes as of 11 p.m., according to unofficial results from the city Board of Elections.
The incumbent, who joined the Senate in 2011 and is chair of the chamber’s health committee, has carved out a progressive path in the Legislature as the lead sponsor of the New York Health Act, a measure that would enact single-payer health insurance in New York. He had the backing of major unions as well as the progressive Working Families Party.
Several other incumbents and progressives easily sailed to victory on Tuesday, including Sens. Robert Jackson, whose redrawn district covers Washington Heights and other northern Manhattan neighborhoods.
In Brooklyn, Democratic socialist Jabari Brisport declared victory over challenger Conrad Tillard, a pastor endorsed by Mayor Adams despite a history of offensive rhetoric about Jews, gay people and women.
“The rich and powerful have gotten used to treating New York like their personal political playground – but our communities are fighting back,” Brisport said in a statement. “We’re demanding a government that puts people over corporate profits.”
In Queens, Kristen González, also backed by the Democratic Socialists of America, declared victory over former City Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley in a newly drawn district that also includes parts of northern Brooklyn and Manhattan’s East Side.
Crowley, who also had the backing of the mayor, far outraised González and outside interests including powerful real estate groups spent heavily in support of her failing bid.
“We’re thrilled to celebrate Kristen Gonzalez’s victory tonight,” Sochie Nnaemeka, director of the New York Working Families Party said. “Kristen will be a powerful voice in Senate District 59 and a champion for a more just, sustainable future for our families. We look forward alongside Kristen to make deeper investments in our communities and create a more affordable New York for all of us.”
