NYC City Council Election In District 38: Candidates, Polling Places And More

SUNSET PARK, BROOKLYN — Voters in Sunset Park and Red Hook will take to the polls on Tuesday, Sept. 12 to cast crucial votes in this year's Democratic primary.

Citywide, there are primaries for mayor and public advocate, while several candidates are vying for the Brooklyn District Attorney nomination. Of local importance, though, a crowded field is jostling to become the city council representative for District 38, which includes Sunset Park and Red Hook (full district map here).

This being New York City and Brooklyn, the Democratic primary is generally the race that determines who will hold these seats after November's general election. Needless to say, Tuesday is an important day for politics in the neighborhood.

We've got more info on the races for district attorney, mayor and public advocate. For more on the city council race in District 38, and how to vote Tuesday in your neighborhood, here's what you need to know.

(For more coverage of this election, including real-time alerts on election night, subscribe to the Sunset Park Patch for our daily newsletter and breaking news alerts. Or for Red Hook, click here.)

District 38 city council candidates

Carlos Menchaca is the incumbent in this race. Four years ago, he ran an upset bid to defeat Sara Gonzalez and take the seat. Menchaca, 36, is the chair of the council's immigration committee. www.carlos2017.com

Sara Gonzalez, as mentioned above, held the seat from November 2002 until she lost to Menchaca four years ago. The former chair of Community Board 7 also chaired the council's Juvenile Justice Committee while she was in office. (No campaign website available.)

Felix Ortiz has represented Sunset Park in the New York State Assembly since 1995 and is the body's assistant speaker. Before that, he served in the Army for two years. New York State Assembly Profile

Delvis Valdes is a local attorney and business-owner running for public office. He has been criticized for racking up violations on buildings he owns within the district. http://www.delvis2017.nyc/

Chris Miao is a local attorney also running for the seat.

Most of these candidates went head-to-head at a local debate Sept. 6.

Where to vote

There are polling places across the district; your specific one depends on where you live. To find your polling place, click here and enter your address. You need to be registered as a Democrat at that address to vote in the primary.

Sample ballot

After entering your address on that same website above, under "Primary Election - 09/12/2017," click "Ballot Information" then choose your party. You will see your choices for all available offices.

When can I vote?

The elections take place on Tuesday, September 12. Polls open at 6 a.m. and close at 9 p.m.

Photo by Marc Torrence, Patch Staff