Donovan Richards wins race for Queens Borough President

Councilmember Donovan Richards has won the race for Queens borough president. Photo courtesy of Richards campaign

By David Brand

Democrat Donovan Richards has won the race for Queens Borough President, with his Republican opponent, Joann Ariola, conceding defeat Wednesday morning.

Richards, a Southeast Queens councilmember, captured more than two thirds of the vote with 95 percent of in-person ballots tallied. The result is not yet official as the Board of Elections counts thousands of absentee ballots. NY1 and the Associated Press projected Richards as the winner late Tuesday night.

Republican candidate Joann Ariola has received about 27.2 percent of the in-person vote total, while third party candidate Dao Yin, running on the “Red Dragon Party” line, received 2.4 percent, according to BOE results.

Richards scored 67.2 percent of the in-person total, or 380,449 votes, as of Wednesday morning. He declared victory at an election night party in Rosedale, echoing comments he made to the Eagle during an interview in Kew Gardens Hills Tuesday afternoon.

“While there were those who sought to divide us, those who said let’s build walls in Queens, here in Queens County, we let them know that we build bridges,” Richards said.

Ariola said she spoke with Richards and conceded defeat Wednesday morning.

“Donovan and I have had a conversation and I wished him luck and I told him Queens can only proceed if we unite and work together, and he agreed. And I congratulated him on his win,” Ariola said.

The results of the contest will have future political implications for the borough. Richards’ early departure from the Council on Jan. 1 will trigger a special election in early 2021. Nine candidate have already filed to run in the June primary. And most will register for the likely special election, too.

Several Queens Republicans have encouraged Ariola to run for the City Council in District 32, the only seat in Queens held by a Republican. Councilmember Eric Ulrich is term-limited at the end of 2021, opening the seat representing Ozone Park, Howard Beach and the Western portion of the Rockaway Peninsula. 

Ariola said it was still too early to make that decision but did not rule out the possibility.

“No matter what I decide, it will always be community-based,” she said. “I’m going to focus on my family, my work and my community.”