New York City's 51st City Council district
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = New York City's 51st City Council district
| image_skyline = 400px
| caption = Boundaries following the 2020 census
| leader_title = Councilmember
| leader_name = {{color box|Red}} Frank Morano (R—Eltingville)
| population_as_of = 2010
| population_total = 157906
| footnotes = Registered voters (2021) 121,993{{Cite web|url=https://vote.nyc/sites/default/files/pdf/vote/2021/CityCouncil_Active_Inactive_Feb21_2021.pdf|title=Council District Summary Report|publisher=New York City Board of Elections|date=February 21, 2021|access-date=July 8, 2021}}
| demographics_type1 = Demographics
| demographics1_info1 = 84%
| demographics1_title1 = White
| demographics1_info2 = 9%
| demographics1_title2 = Hispanic
| demographics1_info3 = 5%
| demographics1_title3 = Asian
| demographics1_info4 = 1%
| demographics1_title4 = Black
| demographics1_info5 = 1%
| demographics1_title5 = Other
| demographics_type2 = Registration
| demographics2_info1 = 41.9%
| demographics2_title1 = Republican
| demographics2_info2 = 30.3%
| demographics2_title2 = Democratic
| demographics2_info3 = 22.5%
| demographics2_title3 = No party preference
}}
New York City's 51st City Council district is one of 51 districts in the New York City Council. It is currently vacant, having most recently been represented by Republican Joe Borelli from 2015 to 2025.
The district holds a number of distinctions. It is by far the most Republican-leaning Council district in the city, it is the only Council district to have more registered Republicans than Democrats, it is the largest Council district by area, and, at 84% white, it is the city's whitest and most politically conservative Council district.
Geography
District 51 covers the South Shore of Staten Island, including the neighborhoods of Great Kills, Tottenville, Annadale, Huguenot, Rossville, Pleasant Plains, Eltingville, Bay Terrace, Charleston, Prince's Bay, Richmond Valley, Woodrow, Arden Heights, Greenridge, and parts of Heartland Village and New Springville.{{Cite web|url=https://council.nyc.gov/districts/|title=Council Members & Districts |publisher=New York City Council|access-date=July 8, 2021}}
The district includes a large number of parks, among them Great Kills Park, Blue Heron Park, Wolfe's Pond Park, Long Pond Park, Conference House Park, Bloomingdale Park, Clay Pit Ponds State Park Preserve, and the southern parts of Freshkills Park and the Staten Island Greenbelt.
The district overlaps with Staten Island Community Boards 2 and 3, and is contained entirely within New York's 11th congressional district. It also overlaps with the 24th district of the New York State Senate, and with the 62nd, 63rd, and 64th districts of the New York State Assembly.{{Cite web|url=https://boundaries.beta.nyc/#|title=NYC Boundaries Map|publisher=BetaNYC|access-date=July 7, 2021}}
Members representing the district
| class=wikitable style="text-align:center" |
| Members
! Party ! Years served ! Electoral history |
|---|
| colspan=5|District established January 1, 1992 |
| align=left|100px Alfred Cerullo {{small|(Great Kills)}} |{{party shading/Republican}}|Republican | January 1, 1992 – | Redistricted from the 1st district and seated in 1992. |
| colspan="2" |Vacant
|February 28, 1994 – | |
| align=left|100px Vito Fossella {{small|(Great Kills)}} |{{party shading/Republican}}|Republican | April 27, 1994 – |Elected to finish Cerullo's term. |
| colspan="2" |Vacant
|November 4, 1997 – | |
| align=left| Stephen Fiala {{small|(Eltingville)}} |{{party shading/Republican}}|Republican | January 1, 1998 – |Elected in 1997. |
| align=left|100px Andrew Lanza {{small|(Great Kills)}} |{{party shading/Republican}}|Republican | January 1, 2002 – |Elected in 2001. |
| colspan="2" |Vacant
|December 31, 2006 – | |
| align=left|100px Vincent M. Ignizio {{small|(Annadale)}} |{{party shading/Republican}}|Republican | February 20, 2007 – |Elected to finish Lanza's term. |
| colspan="2" |Vacant
|July 10, 2015 – | |
| align=left|100px Joe Borelli {{small|(Annadale)}} |{{party shading/Republican}}|Republican | November 30, 2015 – |Elected to finish Ignizio's term. |
| colspan="2" |Vacant
|February 1, 2025 – | |
| align=left| Frank Morano (elect) {{small|(Eltingville)}} |{{party shading/Republican}}|Republican | May 2025– |Elected to finish Borelli's term. |
Recent election results
=2025 special=
Following Joe Borelli's resignation, a special election was triggered for this seat. Like all municipal special elections in New York City, the race is officially nonpartisan, with all candidates running on ballot lines of their own creation. Following Ballot Question 1's approval in 2019, special elections will also utilize ranked-choice voting.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nycvotes.org/how-to-vote/ranked-choice-voting/|title=Ranked Choice Voting |publisher=New York City Campaign Finance Board|access-date=January 14, 2025}}
{{Election box begin no change | title=2025 New York City Council 51st district special election{{cite web|url=https://www.vote.nyc/sites/default/files/news/2025-03/04292025_Special%20Election_51Council_Contest%20List.pdf|title=Special Election 51st Council Contest List |publisher=New York City Board of Elections|access-date=March 6, 2025}}{{cite web|url=https://enr.boenyc.gov/OF18CY0PY2.html|title=Unofficial Results: Member of the City Council 51st Council District|date=April 29, 2025|access-date=April 29, 2025}}
}}
{{Election box winning candidate no change
| candidate = Frank Morano
| party = SI Patriotism
| votes = 5,580
| percentage = 59.2
}}
{{Election box candidate no change
| candidate = Clifford Hagen
| party = Common Ground
| votes = 1,961
| percentage = 20.8
}}
{{Election box candidate no change
| candidate = Griffin Fossella
| party = We The People
| votes = 1,866
| percentage = 19.8
}}
{{Election box write-in with party link no change
| votes = 27
| percentage = 0.3
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 9,434
| percentage = 100.0
}}
{{Election box end}}
=2023 (redistricting)=
Due to redistricting and the 2020 changes to the New York City Charter, councilmembers elected during the 2021 and 2023 City Council elections will serve two-year terms, with full four-year terms resuming after the 2025 New York City Council elections.{{cite news |last1=Pazmino |first1=Gloria |title=Why the Census Means NYC Lawmakers Will Serve 2-Year Terms Instead of 4 |url=https://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/politics/2020/01/15/nyc-elections-2021-whos-running-city-council-why-two-year-terms-instead-of-four |access-date=11 November 2022 |work=www.ny1.com |agency=New York 1 |date=15 January 2020 |language=en}}
{{Election box begin no change| title= 2023 New York City Council election, District 51{{Cite web|url=https://vote.nyc/sites/default/files/pdf/election_results/2023/20231107General%20Election/00501600051Richmond%20Member%20of%20the%20City%20Council%2051st%20Council%20District%20Recap.pdf|title=General Election 2023 - Member of the City Council, 51st Council District |publisher=New York City Board of Elections|access-date=December 11, 2023}}}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = Joe Borelli
|votes = 8,519
|percentage =
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
|party = Conservative Party (New York)
|candidate = Joe Borelli
|votes = 1,589
|percentage =
}}
{{Election box winning candidate no change
|party = Total
|candidate = Joe Borelli (incumbent)
|votes = 10,108
|percentage = 96.7
}}
{{Election box write-in with party link no change
|votes = 342
|percentage = 3.3
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 10,450
| percentage = 100.0
}}
{{Election box hold with party link no change
| winner = Republican Party (United States)
| swing =
}}
{{Election box end}}
=2021=
{{maplink|from=New York City Council District 51.map |frame=yes |plain=no |frame-width=275 |frame-height=275 |icon=no |type=shape |text=An interactive map of District 51}}
In 2019, voters in New York City approved Ballot Question 1, which implemented ranked-choice voting in all local primary and special elections. Under the new system, voters have the option to rank up to five candidates for every local office. Voters whose first-choice candidates fare poorly will have their votes redistributed to other candidates in their ranking until one candidate surpasses the 50 percent threshold. If one candidate surpasses 50 percent in first-choice votes, then ranked-choice tabulations will not occur.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thecity.nyc/22233558/how-does-ranked-choice-voting-work-in-new-york-city|title= How Does Ranked Choice Voting Work in New York City?|publisher=The City|author=Rachel Holliday Smith|date=January 18, 2021|access-date=July 8, 2021}}
{{Election box begin no change| title= 2021 New York City Council election, District 51{{Cite web|url=https://vote.nyc/sites/default/files/pdf/candidates/2021/ContestList_6.22.2021_PDF_PrimaryElection_6.11.2021_1115am.pdf|title=Primary Contest List |publisher=New York City Board of Elections|access-date=July 8, 2021}}{{Cite web|url=https://vote.nyc/sites/default/files/pdf/election_results/2021/20211102General%20Election/00500700051Richmond%20Member%20of%20the%20City%20Council%2051st%20Council%20District%20Recap.pdf|title=General Election 2021 - Member of the City Council, 51st Council District |publisher=New York City Board of Elections|access-date=December 9, 2021}}}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| candidate = Joe Borelli
| votes = 31,621
| percentage =
| change =
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party = Conservative Party of New York State
| candidate = Joe Borelli
| votes = 2,630
| percentage =
| change =
}}
{{Election box winning candidate no change
| party = Total
| candidate = Joe Borelli (incumbent)
| votes = 34,251
| percentage = 83.7
| change =
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| candidate = Olivia Drabczyk
| votes = 6,628
| percentage = 16.2
| change =
}}
{{Election box write-in with party link no change
|votes = 24
|percentage = 0.1
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 40,903
| percentage = 100
| change =
}}
{{Election box hold with party link no change
| winner = Republican Party (United States)
| swing =
}}
{{Election box end}}
=2017=
{{Election box begin no change| title= 2017 New York City Council election, District 51{{Cite web|url=https://vote.nyc/sites/default/files/pdf/election_results/2017/20171107General%20Election/00502200051Richmond%20Member%20of%20the%20City%20Council%2051st%20Council%20District%20Recap.pdf|title=General Election 2017 - Member of the City Council, 51st Council District|publisher=New York City Board of Elections|access-date=July 8, 2021}}}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| candidate = Joe Borelli
| votes = 25,184
| percentage =
| change =
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party = Conservative Party of New York State
| candidate = Joe Borelli
| votes = 3,690
| percentage =
| change =
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party = Independence Party of New York
| candidate = Joe Borelli
| votes = 498
| percentage =
| change =
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party = Reform Party of New York State
| candidate = Joe Borelli
| votes = 154
| percentage =
| change =
}}
{{Election box winning candidate no change
| party = Total
| candidate = Joe Borelli (incumbent)
| votes = 29,526
| percentage = 80.1
| change =
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| candidate = Dylan Schwartz
| votes = 6,692
| percentage =
| change =
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party = Working Families Party
| candidate = Dylan Schwartz
| votes = 579
| percentage =
| change =
}}
{{Election box candidate no change
| party = Total
| candidate = Dylan Schwartz
| votes = 7,271
| percentage = 19.7
| change =
}}
{{Election box write-in with party link no change
|votes = 77
|percentage = 0.2
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 36,874
| percentage = 100
| change =
}}
{{Election box hold with party link no change
| winner = Republican Party (United States)
| swing =
}}
{{Election box end}}
=2016 special=
The November special election also coincided with federal elections in 2016, including the presidential election, Senate election and other statewide races.
{{Election box begin no change| title= 2016 New York City Council special election, District 51{{Cite web|url=https://vote.nyc/sites/default/files/pdf/election_results/2016/20161108General%20Election/00502200051Richmond%20Member%20of%20the%20City%20Council%2051st%20Council%20District%20Recap.pdf|title=Special Election 2016 - Member of the City Council, 51st Council District|publisher=New York City Board of Elections|access-date=January 26, 2025}}}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| candidate = Joe Borelli
| votes = 45,158
| percentage =
| change =
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party = Conservative Party of New York State
| candidate = Joe Borelli
| votes = 4,644
| percentage =
| change =
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party = Independence Party of New York
| candidate = Joe Borelli
| votes = 3,550
| percentage =
| change =
}}
{{Election box winning candidate no change
| party = Total
| candidate = Joe Borelli (incumbent)
| votes = 53,352
| percentage = 99.3
| change =
}}
{{Election box write-in with party link no change
|votes = 376
|percentage = 0.7
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 53,728
| percentage = 100
| change =
}}
{{Election box hold with party link no change
| winner = Republican Party (United States)
| swing =
}}
{{Election box end}}
=2015 special=
In 2015, Councilman Vincent Ignizio resigned his seat to take a job in the nonprofit sector, leaving his seat vacant. Two special elections were called to fill his seat: one nonpartisan primary to fill the seat until December 31, 2016, followed by a standard partisan primary and general election to take place in 2016 to complete the remainder of his term.{{Cite web|url=https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20150714/great-kills/mayor-sets-election-date-fill-ignizios-vacant-council-seat/|title=Mayor Sets Election Date to Fill Ignizio's Vacant Council Seat|website=dnainfo.com|author=Nicholas Rizzi|date=July 14, 2015|accessdate=January 26, 2025}} Like most municipal special elections in New York City, the election was officially nonpartisan, with candidates running on ballot lines of their own creation.
{{Election box begin no change| title= 2015 New York City Council special election, District 51{{Cite web|url=https://vote.nyc/sites/default/files/downloads/pdf/election_results/2015/20151103General%20Election/00502100051Richmond%20Member%20of%20the%20City%20Council%2051st%20Council%20District%20Recap.pdf|title=General Election 2015 - Member of the City Council, 51st Council District|publisher=New York City Board of Elections|access-date=July 8, 2021}}}}
{{Election box winning candidate no change
| party = South Shore First
| candidate = Joe Borelli
| votes = 9,111
| percentage = 97.9
| change =
}}
{{Election box write-in with party link no change
|votes = 198
|percentage = 2.1
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 9,309
| percentage = 100
| change =
}}
{{Election box end}}
=2013=
{{Election box begin no change| title= 2013 New York City Council election, District 51{{Cite web|url=https://vote.nyc/sites/default/files/downloads/pdf/results/2013/2013GeneralElection/00502100051Richmond%20Member%20of%20the%20City%20Council%2051st%20Council%20District%20Recap.pdf|title=General Election 2013 - Member of the City Council, 51st Council District |publisher=New York City Board of Elections|access-date=July 8, 2021}}}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| candidate = Vincent Ignizio
| votes = 15,157
| percentage =
| change =
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party = Conservative Party of New York State
| candidate = Vincent Ignizio
| votes = 2,434
| percentage =
| change =
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party = Independence Party of New York
| candidate = Vincent Ignizio
| votes = 734
| percentage =
| change =
}}
{{Election box winning candidate no change
| party = Total
| candidate = Vincent Ignizio (incumbent)
| votes = 18,325
| percentage = 73.6
| change =
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| candidate = Chris Walsh
| votes = 6,540
| percentage = 26.3
| change =
}}
{{Election box write-in with party link no change
|votes = 25
|percentage = 0.1
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 24,890
| percentage = 100
| change =
}}
{{Election box hold with party link no change
| winner = Republican Party (United States)
| swing =
}}
{{Election box end}}