Alex Bores & Rebecca Seawright Win UES Primary Races

MANHATTAN – After a hard-fought Democratic primary campaign for Assembly District 73 that included allegations of carpet-bagging and claims of supporting defunding the police, the soap opera is over. Alex Bores has emerged victorious, besting his three rivals in the race to replace outgoing Assembly Member Dan Quart, who didn’t run for re-election.

With just one percent of ballots scanners left to report their results, Alex Bores leads the pack, ahead of his nearest challenger by almost 500 votes.

“I am honored that the voters of the east side have chosen me to be their Democratic nominee for Assembly,” Bores said Wednesday.

“This win belongs to our broad community of support and our incredible team. Now the real work begins: Delivering results for New Yorkers.”

Alex Bores campaigns for Assembly District 73 on primary day | Alex Bores' campaign — Alex Bores campaigns for Assembly District 73 on primary day | Alex Bores’ campaign

During the campaign, Bores had repeatedly come under fire from opponent Russell Squire, who finished third in Tuesday’s primary.

First, Squire’s team sent out mailers accusing Bores— as well as two other candidates, Adam Roberts and Kellie Leeson— of not living within the district they were vying to represent. Bores fired back, noting that he was a longtime Upper East Sider and it was redistricting that had placed his home two blocks outside the district.

Another mailer was then sent out by Mr. Squire accusing Bores of supporting the ‘defund the police’ movement, which he denied, pointing to his family’s service in law enforcement.

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Russell Squire, who still serves as Community Board 8 Chair, told Upper East Site in a statement, “I wish my sincere best to Democratic nominee Alex Bores, and I look forward to working with him as I continue to serve and advocate for the community I care so much about.”

Meanwhile, in the race for New York State Assembly District 76, incumbent Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright handily defeated her primary challenger, former public school teacher Patrick Bobilin.

“I especially thank our great community for the opportunity to continue fighting every day for their interests and for progress on the issues that matter most,” Seawright said in a statement.

“It is an honor to work on behalf of the constituents of the 76th Assembly District as we tackle the many challenges before us with renewed determination, focus, and strength.”

Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright (in red) campaigns with Gov. Kathy Hochul (in blue) | Assembly Member Seawright's Office — Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright (in red) campaigns with Gov. Kathy Hochul (in blue) | Assembly Member Seawright’s Office

According to unofficial results released by the NYC Board of elections, Seawright took home nearly 85% of the votes with 92% of ballot scanners reporting.

“As I have throughout the campaign, when I should have been making calls to donors, I’ll continue organizing our neighbors via UES Mutual Aid for a better future where each one of us is empowered to solve problems and act faster than any government office or agency could,” Bobilin told Upper East Site.

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“The non-voters are still the majority of our neighbors and they deserve hope and solidarity in these dark times,” the progressive activist added.

And he’s right— one big takeaway from Tuesday’s primary is the low turnout and how disengaged Upper East Siders are from local politics.

Combined, Assembly Districts 73 and 76 represent more than 280,000 residents on Manhattan’s East Side, but just about seven percent of the population that lives here headed to the polls for these local races.