You are reading

Two Second Place Candidates in Tight Council Races Concede

Jaslin Kaur (left) and Aleda Gagarin (Respective Council Campaigns)

July 6, 2021 By Allie Griffin

Two second-place candidates in tight council races in Queens conceded to their opponents over the weekend.

Candidates Jaslin Kaur and Aleda Gagarin both conceded in their races after preliminary ranked choice voting results were released Friday night.

Kaur and Gagarin trailed the frontrunners in their respective races on election night by a narrow margin, but after ranked choice voting was deployed, the gaps widened.

Kaur was behind leading candidate Linda Lee in the District 23 race by 533 first-choice votes, but after six rounds of ranked choice voting, she fell behind by 696 total votes. Lee ultimately won 53.2 percent of votes — ahead of Kaur’s 46.8 percent.

The preliminary tally, however, doesn’t include 3,451 absentee ballots sent in by Democrats in the district. Nevertheless, Kaur still conceded.

“The final tabulations have not been certified, but it is clear that, though we led for part of the ranked choice process, we will finish a close second in the final round,” Kaur said in a statement Monday. “Congratulations to the winner, Linda Lee.”

Should Lee win, she will represent the neighborhoods of Bayside Hills, Bellerose, Douglaston, Floral Park, Fresh Meadows, Glen Oaks, Hollis, Hollis Hills, Holliswood, Little Neck, New Hyde Park, Oakland Gardens and Queens Village.

The D-23 seat is currently held by Council Member Barry Grodenchik, who decided against running for another term despite being eligible.

Meanwhile, Gagarin conceded in the District 29 race on Saturday.

“Looking at early RCV results, it seems unlikely that I’ll have the honor of representing the 29th district in the Council,” she said in a statement. “I am disappointed, to be sure. But I am also so damn proud of the loving campaign and community we built together.”

She trailed Lynn Schulman by just 221 first-choice votes, but ultimately lost by 1,581 votes after eight rounds of ranked choice voting. Schulman secured 58 percent of votes and Gagarin earned 42 percent.

The tally for the seat representing Rego Park, Forest Hills, Kew Gardens and Richmond Hill doesn’t include 3,846 absentee ballots returned by Democrats in District 29.

Still Gagarin congratulated Schulman on her presumed win.

“What a beautiful thing to see two deeply experienced, capable, LGBTQIA+ women take such strong leads in our district,” she said. “I look forward to continuing to build a loving and caring city.”

Meanwhile in Districts 26 and 32 — two other tight races in which the frontrunners pulled ahead after the ranked choice voting process was applied — neither runner-up has conceded. Amit Bagga is behind Julie Won in the District 26 race, while Mike Scala trails Felicia Singh in District 32.

The Board of Elections is expected to release new ranked choice results — with the absentee ballots factored in — later today. The Board is not expected to certify the results until sometime next week.

email the author: news@queenspost.com
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

May races in Queens: JFK Airport 5K, Forest Park trail classic and a Queensborough 5K

May. 16, 2025 By Paulina Albarracin

The energy of May is on full display across Queens, with a lineup of local races that invite runners of all levels to hit the pavement and the trails. With mild temperatures and sunny skies setting the stage, it’s the perfect time to take advantage of the spring weather before the summer heat sets in. From the Forest Park 4 Mile Road and Trail Classic to the festive Great Hawaiian Luau 5K at Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, these events offer more than just a workout—they foster community spirit and personal growth. Don’t forget to apply sunscreen before lacing up and heading out. Whether you’re a seasoned runner or new to the sport, these May races offer a chance to challenge yourself and connect with others in motion.

Two women shot at Ocean Bay Apartments in Far Rockaway, gunman still at large: NYPD

Police from the 101st Precinct in Far Rockaway are looking for a gunman who shot two women at the Ocean Bay Apartments in Arverne on the night of Saturday, May 10.

The suspect is seen on video surveillance at around 9:35 p.m. approaching the southeast corner of the NYCHA complex at Beach 54th Street and Arverne Boulevard, where he pulled out a handgun and opened fire at a group of people, striking two women before running off. When officers responded to a 911 call of an assault in progress at the complex, which is also called the Oceanside Apartments, they found the two victims: a 34-year-old woman who was shot in both legs and a 32-year-old woman with a gunshot wound to her leg. EMS responded to the location and transported the victims to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, where they were both listed in stable condition.