FOREST HILLS — Former City Councilwoman Melinda Katz trounced her opponents to become Queens Borough President.
With nearly all of the precincts reporting, Katz cruised to a win with 80 percent of the vote.
"I'm humbled and honored by the trust placed in me," she said.
Buisnessman Tony Arcabascio, who was running on the Republican line, received 17 percent and long-shot candidate Everly Brown took nearly 3 percent of the vote.
Katz said her campaign was about "confronting the challenges facing working families" throughout the borough, specifically economic development in Flushing, creating affordable housing in Jackson Heights and protecting the Rockaway peninsula from future storms.
"I’m proud of the race we ran, grateful to all our volunteers and supporters, and look forward to working with Mayor-elect de Blasio from Borough Hall to take on the inequality crisis in our city," she said.
The race to replace Helen Marshall, who was term limited out of the borough president seat, began as a crowded field for Democrats and included former City Councilman Peter Vallone, State Senator Tony Avella, State Senator Jose Peralta, Councilman Leroy Comrie and Borough Hall staffer Barry Grodenchik.
Those candidates later endorsed Katz after dropping out.
She also picked up Marshall's endorsement and that of the Queens Democratic Party.
