Perkins Concedes Harlem Council Race To Jordan, Cementing Upset

HARLEM, NY — Bill Perkins conceded the tight City Council race in Central Harlem to challenger Kristin Richardson Jordan on Monday, marking a new era in the neighborhood and ending a two-decade political career.

Perkins, 72, has represented District 9 for nearly 13 years combined. He conceded after a required recount showed him failing to make up any ground against Jordan, a 34-year-old activist, writer and self-described democratic socialist.

An unofficial tally showed Jordan with 9,034 votes to Perkins's 8,920, according to results shared with Patch. That 114-vote margin widened the initial 104-vote lead that Jordan held before the recount.

Perkins also said he would retire from public service following his defeat. For months, he faced questions about his fitness for office amid reports that health problems had left him disoriented and unable to perform some basic tasks.

"I want to thank the voters of Harlem, East Harlem, and the Upper West Side for their incredible support and confidence in me over the past 25 years and congratulate Kristin Richardson Jordan on her Democratic Primary victory," Perkins said in a statement Monday afternoon.

"While my public service will end at the conclusion of the year, I will continue making my voice heard fighting for justice, equality and opportunity for all."

Jordan, who declared victory before the recount, declined to comment on Perkins's concession.

Perkins, who rarely appears in public, ran an anemic campaign, appearing to count on the possibility that name recognition alone would propel him to victory. Jordan, meanwhile, led a ground-level campaign that featured mutual-aid events, voter registration drives and weekly "wellness checks."

A dozen Democrats lined up to challenge Perkins, who entered the race late. They included Perkins's ex-chief of staff and a former NYPD official — though only Jordan and Perkins made it to the final ranked-choice voting round.

Perkins's 24-year career began in 1997 when he was elected to the District 9 seat. After serving two terms, he spent a decade representing Harlem in the State Senate — then won the District 9 seat again in a 2017 special election.

"From passing landmark legislation protecting children from lead poisoning to fighting for better public schools, standing up for the Exonerated 5 to being the first New York elected official to support Barack Obama for President, it’s been my honor and privilege to represent and serve this community I love," Perkins said Monday.

This year's District 9 race is one of just two across the city from the June 22 primary that has not yet been certified. The recount results will become official once they are approved at next week's board meeting.

Jordan, who is all but certain to win November's general election, will take office in January.

Previous coverage:

• Tight Central Harlem City Council Race Is Headed For Recount
• Jordan Set To Upset Perkins For Central Harlem City Council Seat
• Here's Where Central Harlem Candidates Stand On Your Issues
• Bill Perkins Jolts Harlem Council Race, Launches Re-Election Bid