NYC Council District 9 Results 2023: Yusef Salaam Declares Victory

HARLEM, NY — Dr. Yusef Salaam, an activist and speaker who was one of the Central Park Five teenagers wrongly convicted in an infamous 1989 rape case, declared victory in Harlem's District 9.

Salaam, 49, garnered about 98.33 percent of votes counted as of 9:15 p.m., according to the city's Board of Elections.

Salaam has advocated for affordable housing, safe streets, education reform and smarter policing on the debate stage, according to the Associated Press. While he says he has “no track record in politics,” the outlet reported he touts a "great track record in the 34 years of the Central Park jogger case in fighting for freedom, justice and equality."

Salaam was imprisoned for roughly seven years after being falsely accused of the notorious Central Park rape alongside four other Black and Latino teens. They were exonerated in 2002 after a convicted serial rapist was linked to the case through DNA evidence. In 2014, the city dolled out $41 million to the five men as part of a civil rights settlement.

Salaam continues to share his story as a motivational speaker and advocate for prison reform. He received the Lifetime Achievement Award from former President Barack Obama in 2016 and published his memoir, “Better, Not Bitter: Living on Purpose in the Pursuit of Racial Justice,” in 2021.

He moved from Georgia to New York City in 2022, when New York County Democrats leader Keith L.T. Wright recruited Salaam for the coveted District 9 seat, The New York Times reported.

“I’ve often said that those who have been close to the pain should have a seat at the table,” Salaam told the Associated Press in July. “When people look at me and they know my story, they resonate with it. But now here we are 34 years later, and I’m able to use that platform that I have and repurpose the pain, help people … as we climb out of despair.”

Salaam won the primary race in June with over 63% of the vote after three rounds of ranked-choice voting tabulations, NY1 reported. Fellow Democrat Inez Dickens represented about 36% of the primary vote in comparison.

Earlier this year, incumbent Kristin Richardson Jordan dropped out of the race after a rocky first term.

"There are many reasons for this decision," Jordan said. "The behavior of the Harlem Machine is self centered rather that focused around community. Dealing with these bad faith actors — as well as the irresponsible journalism that amplifies them — distracts our energy from the real work."