Forest Hills Swung Right In 2021 Election Despite Democratic Win

FOREST HILLS, QUEENS — Forest Hills' Republican voters came out in force in this year's general election, newly released vote totals show.

Republican voter turnout in Forest Hills' District 29 more than doubled in this year's City Council election compared to the GOP's showing in 2009, which was the last time a Republican candidate ran for the seat, a Patch review of the results found.

Democrat Lynn Schulman garnered 13,939 votes in her favor, securing 58 percent of the votes and a clear victory against Republican Michael Conigliaro, who amassed 8,927 — or 37 percent — of the district's votes.

The race, however, was much closer than the 2009 District 29 contest, when Republican Bartholomew Bruno garnered half as many votes as Conigliaro — a mere 3,878, or 16 percent, of voters' ballots. By contrast, Democrat Karen Koslowitz, who was returning to the Council seat after some years off due to term limits, won 14,852 — or 63 percent — of the districts' votes that year.

This dynamic wasn't as visible in the mayoral election, where Republican and Democratic voter turnout and voting patterns were on-par with the 2017 election.

These results conform with a citywide trend, where Republican candidates gained ground in some Council races.

District 29 voting breakdown

Going into the Nov. 2 general election, Schulman was largely favored in the District 29 election.

She had area recognition, having run for City Council in the past (including against Koslowitz in 2009), and spent time working in city government.

As experts pointed out after the race, though, Republicans garnered support from more moderate and conservative voters citywide by focusing on a few salient issues, including public safety concerns and pandemic-related guidelines — both of which were central to Conigliaro's campaign.

Conigliaro ran a self-described "law and order" campaign, and told Patch that the most pressing issue in the district is reducing crime.

Schulman ran a moderate campaign, but her platform still largely different from Conigliaro's. For instance, both candidates told Patch that they oppose the long disputed Kew Gardens Jail, but Schulman would like to see a "restorative justice" plan for the jail with more community input, whereas Conigliaro opposes neighborhood-based jails altogether and wants Riker's Island to remain open.

"I am beholden to nobody especially the Democratic machine. The only people I have an obligation to are the constituents of Council District 29," Conigliaro told Patch regarding what differentiates him from other candidates.

Schulman remained self assured though, and told Patch that her detailed healthcare platform, and city government experience, gave her an edge in the field; a point that ultimately proved true, as her victory was certified by the BOE this week.

Related Article: Lynn Schulman Named Winner In Forest Hills' City Council Race