Challenger Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez defeated incumbent Rep. Joe Crowley on Tuesday in their Democratic congressional primary in New York City, stunning a man who was considered to be on the shortlist to become the next House Speaker if Democrats take the majority in November.
"I cannot believe these numbers right now!" Ocasio-Cortez said to our Ruschell Boone, as she saw the results live on NY1 at her campaign watch party.
SEE THE LIVE RESULTS FOR ALL THE PRIMARIES
JOE CROWLEY VS. ALEXANDRIA OCASIO-CORTEZ
With 98 percent of precincts reporting as of 2:28 a.m. Wednesday, Ocasio-Cortez had 57.5 percent of the vote to Crowley's 42.5 percent — 15,897 votes to 11,761.
The 28-year-old progressive Ocasio-Cortez upturned the head of the Queens Democratic Party in the 14th congressional district, which comprises parts of the Bronx and Queens, including Jackson Heights and Flushing.
- Democratic primary debate: Crowley vs. Ocasio-Cortez, Part 1
- Democratic primary debate: Crowley vs. Ocasio-Cortez, Part 2
Ocasio-Cortez received a lot of support from the left and traction on social media, and on Monday was endorsed by Democratic candidate for governor Cynthia Nixon.
"I do know that every single person here has worked their butt off to change the future of the Bronx and Queens!" Ocasio-Cortez said at her watch party.
YVETTE CLARKE VS. ADEM BUNKEDDEKO
Another longtime member of Congress faced a very close fight against a young challenger to her left.
In the 9th congressional district, longtime Rep. Yvette Clarke was trying win the party's nomination over 30-year-old Adem Bunkeddeko. The district covers parts of Brooklyn such as Crown Heights, Park Slope, and Brownsville.
With 99 percent of precincts reporting as of 2:28 a.m. Wednesday, the Associated Press has called the race for Clarke, who was leading 51.9 percent to 48.1 percent — 14,804 votes to 13,729.
CAROLYN MALONEY VS. SURAJ PATEL
The challenger was not victorious in the 12th congressional district, as Rep. Carolyn Maloney defeated 34-year-old Democrat Suraj Patel.
The district comprises parts of Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens, including Manhattan's East Side, Long Island City, and Greenpoint.
With about 99 percent of precincts reporting as of 2:29 a.m. Wednesday, Maloney had 58.8 percent of the vote to Patel's 41.2 — 24,223 votes to 16,995.
OTHER DEMOCRATIC RACES
Greg Meeks in Queens in the 5th congressional district, and Eliot Engel, whose district covers the north Bronx in the 16th congressional district, both easily won their Democratic primaries.
With about 99 percent of precincts reporting as of 2:29 a.m. Wednesday, Meeks had nearly 82 percent (9,803 votes) of the ballots. His closest competitor, Carl Achielle, had 9.7 percent (1,163 ballots) of the vote. Mizan Choudhury was in third, 100 votes behind Achielle.
With about 98 percent of precincts reporting as of 2:29 a.m. Wednesday, Engel had nearly 74 percent of the vote. His closest competitor, Jonathan Lewis, had 16.3 percent of the vote. Lewis was down by more than 14,000 votes.