BY ARTHUR SCHWARTZ | The Primary for City Council in West Soho, Greenwich Village, Chelsea, and Hell’s Kitchen is largely over. Although Erik Bottcher did not get a majority, his margin of victory over me is large enough that it seems mathematically impossible for me to win once the Ranked Choice Voting process begins.

I want to offer Erik my congratulations. He ran a positive, optimistic campaign, and I hope that his prediction of “Best Days Are Still Ahead” comes true. I remain the Democratic District Leader in Greenwich Village, I am still in court challenging the constitutionality of the PACT/RAD program at NYCHA, and I remain the Political Director of the NY Progressive Action Network, so we will have lots of opportunities to work together.

I consider Erik a personal friend. He has always been kind to my family, and I am happy that his dream has come true. I do hope he takes a stronger stand against luxury development in Hell’s Kitchen, Chelsea, the Village, and West Soho than Corey Johnson did. If he does, he will be a hero.

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