Election 2009: No Big Surprises in Brooklyn
You’ve probably seen them by now, but just in case (and just in case you feel like discussing), we’ve post the results of all the Brooklyn City Council races yesterday on the jump. In some of the races most relevant to Brownstoner-land, Tish James, Brad Lander, Al Vann, Charles Barron, Sara Gonzalez, Vincent Gentile and…
You’ve probably seen them by now, but just in case (and just in case you feel like discussing), we’ve post the results of all the Brooklyn City Council races yesterday on the jump. In some of the races most relevant to Brownstoner-land, Tish James, Brad Lander, Al Vann, Charles Barron, Sara Gonzalez, Vincent Gentile and Mathieu Eugene all emerged victorious.
2009 NYC General Election Returns [NY1]
Photo by Susan NYC
District 33: Steven Levin (91%)
District 34: Diane Reyna (60%)
District 35: Letitia James (92%)
District 36: Al Vann (64%)
District 37: Erik Dilan (86%)
District 38: Sara Gonzalez (82%)
District 39: Brad Lander (70%)
District 40: Mathieu Eugene (94%)
District 41: Darlene Mealy (96%)
District 42: Charles Barron (93%)
District 43: Vincent Gentile (60%)
District 44: Simcha Felder (uncontested)
District 45: Jumaane Williams (77%)
District 46: Lewis Fidler (79%)
District 47: Domenic Recchia (88%)
District 48: Michael Nelson (90%)
Two completely different and plausible ways to look at why people don’t turn out to vote.
I think Ms. Muffet is right. I also know a lot of Thompson supporters who failed to vote because they thought Bloomies’ third term was inevitable. In the world of elections 1+1 doesn’t always = 2, as in you can hate Bloomberg with a passion and still not feel a motivation to vote.
But a lot of would-be Thompson supporters (I speak from my own experience) barely tuned in since it seemed like Bloomberg had a lock on the election. The race was close enough that a pretty small amount of people like myself could have changed the election (and I only tuned in/voted at last moment…)
Perhaps Muffy… I have to agree with you about the clear message the election result map will send to the Gracie Mansion. I voted for Bloomberg — I think he competent and many of the programs I value (like plaNYC and its related greeNYC) are frankly revolutionary… he actually has the guts to do long-term strategic visioning and planning beyond the next election cycle.
That being said, no doubt… he has alienated many residents and I hope the message was received. However, I wish folks would recognize at least SOME of the great works his administration has done — not least of which given the jokers on the City Council a proper kick in the ass when they needed it.
I don’t see how the abstentions helped Bloomberg. it’s just not logical. Anyone who wanted Thompson must surely have actually HATED Bloomberg and would have been motivated to vote.
Bllommberg supporters became apathetic given his big lead in the polls so they just didn’t show up.
i voted. agreed, turnout was pathetic. at my polling station there were literally about 10-15 volunteers for every voter.
tybur6, as I mentioned in Wed links, I think the abstentions HELPED bloomberg, not hurt him. I only voted at last minute when prodded by friends since it seemed Bloomberg had it in bag, but I wound up voting for Thompson. Other people I know (who would have voted for Thomspson) didn’t bother to go. I know that’s pathetic (and I feel strongly about voting so did manage to drag by butt to the polls) but sadly, I think it’s the truth. I am disaffected by Bloomberg, and glad that he got the message that his policies on the schools, development, haves vs. have nots are alienating big swaths of the electorate…
The only reason Bloomy didn’t actually have a landslide was because folks got all “oh — we *know* he’s gonna win” and didn’t bother showing up.
I don’t know how many registered voters there are, but a turnout of 1.1 million seems pretty damn crappy! And thoroughly disappointing.
He probably could have save 1/2 his campaign money by simply devoting time to a “Make Sure You Show Up” campaign…
Where’s BHO this morning?????