MANHATTAN — Christopher Marte has announced he will run on the Independent Party line against City Councilwoman Margaret Chin in the general election for City Council District 1 after narrowly losing the Democratic nomination to her in September.
Chin, a two-term incumbent, ultimately beat out the political newcomer in the primary by just 222 votes, Board of Elections data shows. The race remained too close to call the day after the election, calling for the counting of absentee and provisional ballots.
Marte believes the narrow win reveals disaffection with the current leadership and hopes to close the margin on Nov. 7.
"We can’t give up the fight for the future of our District,” said Marte in a statement. “Our community still has reason to hope for change.”
Marte throughout his campaign has been critical of Chin's record as a councilmember, namely regarding a continually stalled community based rezoning plan he and his supporters believe could have secured height protections for the Lower East Side, thwarting three massive developments slated rise within a three-block radius.
In response to this criticism, Chin has said she will aggressively oppose the influx of high-rises.
Chin is running in the general election as a member of both the Democratic and Working families parties. She is also challenged by Liberal Aaron Foldaneur, who also ran as a Democrat in the primary, and Republican Bryan Jung.
A spokesman for the Chin campaign said the incumbent remains confident she will win in November.
"Democrats sent Councilwoman Chin to victory in the Democratic Primary Election based upon her strong record of preserving and expanding affordable housing and standing up for tenants," said campaign spokesman Jake Dilemani. "Councilwoman Chin looks forward to speaking with Lower Manhattan voters between now and November, as well as to another four years on the Council, where she will continue her work to make New York a more livable, affordable city for all."
