NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- Queens Councilman Donovan Richards won the race for Queens Borough President, with Republican challenger Joann Ariola conceding defeat Wednesday morning.
Richards received 67.31% of the vote, according to The Associated Press, while Ariola got 30.62%. Third-party candidate Dao Yin, a businessman, also received around 2% of the vote.
The Far Rockaway councilman declared victory in Rosedale and spoke with the Queens Eagle.
“While there were those who sought to divide us, those who said, 'Let’s build walls in Queens,' here in Queens County, we let them know that we build bridges,” Richards told the news outlet.
Ariola conceded to Richards, releasing a statement on Twitter.
“I am deeply grateful to all who have supported our campaign to save Queens in this turbulent and challenging year,” she wrote. “Your help allowed me to give a voice to common sense voters in our Borough, including our men and women in law enforcement, middle-class families squeezed by high taxes, small business owners, and victim’s of our city’s rising crime.”
Ariola, a resident of Howard Beach, said though she did not win the race, she was able to help those who supported her.
“That voice was heard far beyond party registration and will continue to grow louder as we head into 2021,” she added.
Richards is the first black man to be elected Queens Borough President. He takes over the position one year after Melinda Katz left to become Queens District Attorney.
Richards will need to run for re-election in 2021, if he decides he wants a full-term in the position.
There was supposed to be a special election for Queens Borough President earlier in 2020, but it was canceled due to the pandemic.