The staffers who won New York City Council primaries

Dynasties are common in politics: the Cuomos, Vallones, Spanos and Roosevelts to name a few. However for New York City Council members it isn’t their families who have the connections, but rather their bosses. Former staffers won the primary elections in more than half of the vacant council districts on the ballot in 2025. 

The staffer phenomenon is not novel or unusual. Half of City Council members in 2023 had worked on the staff of another elected official and 14 directly succeeded their former boss. 

Former staffers know the constituents, issues and political landscape of their district. They develop an arsenal of exclusive connections, insight and experience that provide an established voter and fundraising base. A position working for an elected official does not guarantee an election victory, but goes a long way in local elections that center around name recognition and familiarity. This year, 10 term-limited council members either left the council early or are finishing up their tenures. Here are the former staffers who won the primary elections in six of their seats.

Elsie Encarnacion, District 8

Worked for: term-limited Council Member Diana Ayala, former Council Member Melissa Mark-Viverito

In District 8, Elsie Encarnacion will directly succeed her boss after she clinched the East Harlem and South Bronx seat in a crowded race. Encarnacion worked first as a senior adviser and then chief of staff for Council Member Diana Ayala for about three years and had worked for six years under former Council Member Melissa Mark-Viverito. She joins a lineage, as Ayala also succeeded her boss and incumbent Mark-Viverito. 

Justin Sanchez, District 17

Worked for: state Sen. Nathalia Fernandez, Council Member Rafael Salamanca, Jr.

Justin Sanchez held multiple staff  positions, including as a constituent liaison for Council Member Rafael Salamanca Jr. in District 17 seven years ago. “To a lot of folks in the community, I basically was their kid growing up and watching me start off as just the community liaison and seeing the journey to doing this.” Sanchez said. Most recently, he served as state Sen. Nathalia Fernandez’s chief of staff. 

Ty Hankerson, District 28 

Worked for: term-limited City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams

Ty Hankerson won his primary race in District 28 to fill City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams’ term-limited spot. Adams supported her district chief of staff throughout the race and her high profile endorsement likely made a significant impact. 

Alicia Vaichunas and Phil Wong, District 30 

Worked for: term-limited Council Member Bob Holden

Interestingly, in District 30 both the Republican and Democratic nominees are current staffers for term-limited incumbent Council Member Bob Holden. Republican Alicia Vaichunas and Democrat Phil Wong will face off in the general election in November to claim the seat. 

Kayla Santosuosso, District 47

Worked for: term-limited Council Member Justin Brannan

Kayla Santosuosso won the primary to succeed Council Member Justin Brannan, but still faces a competitive general election in District 47. She served as his deputy chief of staff from 2019 to 2021 while attending law school. She practiced law for three years and returned as Brannan’s chief counsel before deciding to run herself. 

Frank Morano, District 51

Worked for: former Council Member Joe Borelli 

Council Member Frank Morano won the primary for his reelection in District 51. He ran for reelection following his win in a special election after the resignation of his predecessor and boss Joe Borelli. Morano worked part-time for Borelli for two years before he ran for the seat.