Shahana Hanif Wins Brooklyn's 39th District City Council Race

PARK SLOPE, BROOKLYN — Shahana Hanif will represent Brooklyn's 39th District in City Council, according to projected election results.

Shahana Hanif — who beat out seven other candidates in a crowded Democratic primary ticket — was declared the projected winner of the general election by the New York Times and NY1 an hour after polls closed Tuesday.

Hanif held almost 90 percent of the vote with 99 percent of precincts reporting, according to the city's Board of Elections. The percentage is a combination of Hanif's votes on the Democratic Party and Working Families Party line. She appeared under both on Tuesday's ballot.

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She is the first Muslim woman to be elected to the city's legislature.

"I was born & raised in Brooklyn. I'm the daughter of Bangladeshi Muslim immigrants, a Lupus survivor, & an activist. I'm humbled to be the first Muslim woman elected to the New York City Council and the first woman to represent my district," she tweeted after the results.

"We are building an anti-racist, feminist city. We deserve a city that guarantees equitable education, invests in climate solutions, and makes our immigrant neighbors heard and safe. I’m ready to move our city forward in service of our progressive vision every day."

Challenger Brett E. Wynkoop held around 8 percent of the vote, according to the results. Matthew Morgan held just under 3 percent, Board of Elections results show.

The three candidates were running to replace term-limited Council Member Brad Lander, who is projected to become the city's next comptroller.

Hanif worked as Lander's director of organizing and community engagement, which includes running the Participatory Budgeting program.

A Gowanus resident, Matthew Morgan ran under the Libertarian party. Wynkoop — who made headlines for his role in a "right-wing extremist group" tied to the Jan. 6 riots — ran as a Conservative.

Brooklyn's 39th Council District includes Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens, the Columbia Waterfront District, Gowanus, Park Slope, Windsor Terrace, Borough Park and Kensington.