It was an unusual race for an unusual candidate. Yusef Salaam, a political novice, has an almost insurmountable lead over two sitting incumbent Assemblymembers in their bids to represent Harlem’s 9th District in the City Council.

“I am here because Harlem, you believed in me,” Salaam told supporters at his Harlem victory party. “Harlem has spoken. I’ve often said on the campaign trail, I am not a seasoned politician. So, therefore, this is not politics as usual.”

What You Need To Know

  • Yusef Salaam, a member of the “Exonerated Five,” is on track to represent Harlem in the City Council

  • Salaam likely defeated two sitting incumbent Assemblymembers for the nomination

  • Absentee ballots will determine whether ranked choice voting is triggered in this race

  • Yusef Salaam joins "Mornings On 1" Thursday at 8 a.m. to talk about his projected upset win in City Council District 9

For many voters, Salaam had a compelling story to tell. Once accused of rape in the Central Park Jogger case in 1989, Salaam was wrongly convicted and spent time in prison. He was eventually cleared of any wrongdoing in the case.

That tale of adversity and redemption helped win his support in Harlem.

“We do have this wonderful thing of prison population adjustment,” CUNY Professor Zulema Blair said. “And that could have played an angle as well. Because we know formerly incarcerated people can vote. As long as they are on supervised release, they can vote. And District 9 had a surge in that. They had the largest population of individuals who had their population adjusted. Especially for Black voters.”

Harlem’s demographics have shifted in recent years. Once a historically Black neighborhood, African Americans now only represent about 50% of the population.

“I think he has a coalition of White supporters. He has a coalition of LatinX supporters and Black supporters. I do think that,” Blair said.

A map highlights in pink and purple where Salaam excelled. Blue precincts for Inez Dickens represent smaller pockets, and Green areas near the top of the District show where Al Taylor was able to get votes, including those that overlap with his Assembly District.

“He was the prodigal son that has returned,” Manhattan Democratic Chair Keith Wright told supporters in Harlem on primary night. “And he was authentic. He is authentic. And that resonated. The people have spoken.”

If the vote totals hold after absentee ballots are counted, then Salaam will win the race outright, without triggering Ranked Choice voting, which could change the result.