NEW YORK (Diya TV) Cheers erupted at a packed bar in Park Slope on Tuesday night. Shahana Hanif’s campaign volunteers gathered to celebrate as their phones lit up with breaking news. Hanif had been projected as the winner in the Democratic primary for Brooklyn’s 39th City Council District.

Less than an hour after polls closed, the progressive incumbent held a commanding lead over challenger Maya Kornberg. The 39th District stretches from Park Slope to the Columbia Street waterfront. It also includes Windsor Terrace, Kensington, and part of Borough Park.

By the end of the night, with more than 90% of first-choice votes counted, Hanif was ahead by about 44 points. Moreover, supporters greeted the chair of the City Council’s Progressive Caucus like a hero as she moved through a crowd. They held up slices of pizza as she made her way to the microphone.

A Bangladeshi American, Hanif thanked everyone who helped on her campaign. “We stood up against corporate attacks and billionaire James Dolan,” she told the crowd. “And we showed that Brooklyn can never be bought.”

Earlier that day, Hanif had talked about reaching a turning point in city leadership. Furthermore, throughout the campaign, she framed this race as part of a larger movement. Indeed, she spoke again about that in her victory speech.

“We are charting a new politics in our city,” she said. Additionally, Hanif promised to fight for universal child care, a freeze on rent-stabilized apartments, and more school funding. Then she vowed to stand up to President Donald Trump.

Finally, she declared, “We are going to send ICE packing.” This declaration prompted loud cheers from the crowd.

Although local matters like affordable housing, public schools, safe streets, and economic equity shaped much of the race, the war in Gaza became a major flashpoint too.

In particular, some Jewish New Yorkers criticized Hanif for a deleted social media post about the war. Moreover, a few days later, she was arrested at a Manhattan protest calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.

Still, Hanif had Jewish supporters as well. For example, groups like Jews for Racial & Economic Justice and Jewish Voice for Peace Action Fund supported her. However, other voters backed Kornberg. The pro-Israel group Solidarity PAC endorsed Kornberg and six other City Council candidates.

Additionally, a new grassroots group called Brooklyn BridgeBuilders raised money to oppose Hanif. Indeed, U.S. Rep. Ritchie Torres spoke at the PAC’s fundraiser. Plus, many large donations to Kornberg came from outside the district, including California.

Despite the controversy, Hanif defended her record on hate crimes and antisemitism. Throughout the campaign, she cited times when she spoke against bigotry. Also, last year, she introduced a bill to fight antisemitism.

That bill followed criticism after Hanif voted against a resolution to create an “End Jew Hatred Day” in New York. Hanif explained that national organizations behind the resolution had ties to far-right politicians. Consequently, she believed those connections promoted hate, so she could not support them.

Meanwhile, Hanif’s reelection also drew outside support. City & State reported that Abundant New York committed $100,000 to back Hanif. Furthermore, People for Public Space added $50,000. In contrast, Uber New York PAC spent more than $100,000 on Kornberg.

“We defeated Uber,” Hanif told the crowd Tuesday night.

Hanif picked up endorsements from fellow progressive leaders, too. For instance, they included Council Member Brad Lander, whom she once worked for as community engagement director. She also earned support from Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Moreover, Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani, who ran a successful mayoral primary campaign against Andrew Cuomo, backed Hanif, too.

Although Hanif brushed off questions about Mamdani’s lack of management experience, she spoke about a changing city. “We’re looking at a new New York City,” she said. Indeed, she added that Mamdani had inspired others to serve.