You are reading

Competing Candidates Cross Endorse in Tactic Brought About by Rank Choice Voting

Debra Markell and Harpreet S. Toor are both running to represent the 23rd Council District in eastern Queens. The pair both called on their supporters to rank the other second (Photo: Twitter)

June 9, 2021 By Ryan Songalia

Several city council candidates who are competing against one another are cross endorsing in a new tactic brought about by rank choice voting.

Nabaraj KC and Austin Shafran, both candidates running to represent District 19 in northeast Queens, announced their support Tuesday for one another as their number two choices in the upcoming Democratic primary.

The cross-endorsement came the same day that two candidates in another Queens race – Debra Markell and Harpreet Singh Toor in District 23 – announced a similar partnership. Their district, which is currently represented by Barry Grodenchik, encompasses Douglaston, Little Neck, Glen Oaks and surround areas.

The concept of supporting a rival in the same race is a new concept in New York City politics.

“Never before in the history of NYC elections have candidates looked to collaborate in the way that’s happening now,” said Donald Kaplan, Toor’s campaign manager. “Everything was pure competition, and now ranked choice has created an opportunity for people to work together.”

Thomas Musich, communications director for the Nabaraj KC campaign, noted that cross-endorsements of candidates in the same races has happened in other cities with ranked choice voting, like San Francisco. He says it is likely to become more prevalent in New York, depending on the outcomes in these races.

“I think there’s a lot more collaboration and there’s a lot less negative campaigning,” Musich said in reference to ranked choice voting. “[Negative campaigning] still exists of course and it’s still out there, but I think it’s definitely toned down a bit.”

KC was endorsed by Shafran in College Point yesterday, and returned the favor today in Bayside where Shafran lives.

Both are running to replace the term-limited Paul Vallone.

“Austin and I have become good friends over the course of this campaign, and I know that as a City Council Member, he would put the needs of his constituents first,” KC said.

Shafran, who worked for former U.S. Congressman Gary Ackerman and former council member David Weprin, said KC would make the district a more family-friendly place to live.

“Nabaraj is a thoughtful and devoted leader who has consistently gone above and beyond for his community,” Shafran said.

KC said the two campaigns will canvass together and will be able to cover more territory ahead of election day on June 22.

He says the coalition building and reduction in negative campaigning means the ranked choice voting reforms are working.

“Candidates are not enemies or opponents anymore, so you have to work together,” KC said.

KC, a businessman and civic leader, would be the first Nepalese-American to be on the New York City council if elected.

email the author: [email protected]
No comments yet

Leave a Comment
Reply to this Comment

All comments are subject to moderation before being posted.


The reCAPTCHA verification period has expired. Please reload the page.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Recent News

CM Moya announces support for massive Metropolitan Park proposal near Citi Field

Council Member Francisco Moya announced his support for Metropolitan Park, a proposal put forward by New York Mets owner Steve Cohen and Hard Rock International that calls for the construction of a casino and entertainment complex on the parking lot just west of Citi Field.

In a lengthy statement released on Thursday afternoon, Moya said that when he was first approached about the project, his main consideration was ensuring that it would meet the needs of his constituents and provide a major boost to the local economy.

Long Island man charged in fatal Flushing hit-and-run that left 81-year-old man dead: NYPD

A Long Island truck driver was arrested on Tuesday and booked at the 109th Precinct in Flushing for a fatal hit-and-run collision that killed a Murray Hill senior who was riding an electric bike on Northern Boulevard three months ago.

Kyle Schreiber, 27, of Lincoln Boulevard in Hauppauge, was charged with leaving the scene of an accident resulting in the death of 81-year-old Peter Seo on the morning of Thursday, Dec. 28.

MTA seizes 19 ‘ghost’ cars registered to toll violators at Queens Midtown Tunnel on Monday

Two days before the MTA Board approved the controversial congestion pricing plan for Manhattan on Wednesday, the agency cracked down on persistent toll violators at the Queens Midtown Tunnel in Long Island City.

MTA Bridges and Tunnels seized 19 vehicles registered to persistent scofflaws on Monday and issued 81 summonses and confiscated two fraudulent incense plates. The MTA noted that the scofflaws accounted for approximately $483,000 in combined unpaid tolls and fees. One of the top persistent toll violators from the targeted enforcement owed nearly $76,000 in tolls and fees.