According to the unofficial results released by the New York City Board of Elections on July 1, Phil Wong, a Chinese-American Democratic candidate for City Council in the 30th District, emerged victorious in the Democratic primary held on June 24 with a majority of 51.5% of the votes, defeating two other opponents. He will now represent the Democratic Party in the general election in November.
New York City’s primary elections utilize the Ranked Choice Voting system, where voters can rank multiple candidates according to their preferences. If a candidate’s first choice is eliminated, their vote is then transferred to their next preferred candidate until someone receives over 50% of the votes.
The competition in the City Council primary for the 30th District was intense. In the initial round of voting on primary night, Phil Wong led with 4,561 votes (36.3%), followed by Paul Pogozelski with 3,973 votes (31.6%), and Dermot P. Smyth with 3,878 votes (30.8%). Smyth was eliminated in the first round, leading to a runoff as no candidate secured a majority of votes.
During the second round of counting, Phil Wong and Pogozelski garnered support from Smyth’s backers. In the third round, Phil Wong received an additional 886 votes, bringing his total to 5,454 votes, representing 51.5% of the total, surpassing Pogozelski’s 5,129 votes (48.5%) by 325 votes to claim victory.
Phil Wong expressed gratitude to his supporters and campaign team, acknowledging the voters who signed petitions to get him on the ballot. He thanked the over 340 donors, half of whom were from the 30th District and the other half from various places. He also appreciated Councilman Horton for his guidance and support, as he prepares for the general election.
Zang Donghui, Chairman of the New York Residents Alliance, congratulated Phil Wong on his primary victory. He praised Wong for his commitment to common sense, belief in the correctness of policies and laws, and his respectful and caring nature towards individuals in his community.
Zang Donghui further expressed confidence that Phil Wong’s success in the November general election is assured, stating that he will bring a significant amount of common sense to the New York City Council. This victory is viewed as a win for all New York parents, with the prospect of a true parental representative advocating for the SHSAT and optimal admissions, reinstating the gifted and talented exam, respecting district zoning, and ensuring campus safety.
Chairwoman Zhu Yating from the non-partisan political group “Yachao Meng” also extended her congratulations to Phil Wong, applauding his dedication as a community activist advocating for quality education and law enforcement. She expressed confidence in his integrity and ability, believing he will represent their shared values and the best interests of New York City in the next City Council term.
The 30th District of the City Council encompasses the central part of Queens, including communities such as Ridgewood, Maspeth, and Middle Village.