Despite Eric Adams’ landslide victory, it was actually a good election for Republicans in some parts of the city.

Yes, they lost big in the citywide races.

Yes, they remain a distinct minority in the City Council.

But they notched wins they say will expand their influence.

GOP representation in the 51-member City Council will grow from three to at least five – possibly six.

“It sent a message to the rest of my colleagues around the city that they should be conscientious that there’s a moderate base of voters that are sick and tired of seeing the city lurch to the far left,” Council Member Joe Borell said Wednesday.
On Staten Island, Borelli – the likely next minority leader – easily won re-election and David Carr held onto a Republican seat.

In Queens, Joann Ariola kept a seat in GOP hands with more than double her rivals’ votes while Vickie Paladino declared victory in flipping a district red.

In Brooklyn, Inna Vernikov trounced her Democratic opponent, boosted by Donald Trump Jr. robocalls.

“Inna stands for fully funding the police, jobs and a strong economy,” the son of the former president said in the recording.

“She wasn’t embarrassed or afraid of the fact that most of her district supported Donald Trump," Borelli added of Vernikov.

The close contest in southern Brooklyn between Democratic incumbent Justin Brannan and Republican Brian Fox will come down to absentee ballots.

On Election Day, even some conservative and moderate Democrats couldn’t prevail.

Carr’s opponent, Sal Albanese, and Paladino’s rival, Tony Avella, were endorsed by the Police Benevolent Association.

“This will be the largest council delegation in some time. And growing the party in New York City, in the five boroughs, this is something we have to do to win statewide," said Nick Langworthy, New York State Republican Committee chairman. 

What’s more: Bob Holden of Queens and Kalman Yeger of Brooklyn – right-leaning Democrats who ran on the Democratic, Republican and conservative lines – both won with more votes on the Republican line than the Democratic one.

In bonus victories for the GOP, the three ballot questions amending the redistricting process and expanding voter access failed to pass.

“Even 40% of New York City residents have rejected those propositions,” Langworthy said. “It can’t just be portrayed as a Republican versus Democrat or conservative voters versus liberal voters. People of all party affiliations joined in a coalition to defeat these.”

Susan Lerner, executive director of Common Cause New York, a good-government group said, “These results are a cautionary tale showing that even in deep blue New York, we can't take pro-democracy outcomes for granted.”

Voter turnout was extremely low citywide, with only about 18% of registered voters casting ballots in-person in the race for mayor.

Turnout was far higher in the council districts that Republicans won.