Nydia Velazquez Projected To Win Primary Over Paperboy Prince

BROOKLYN, NEW YORK — Longtime U.S. Rep. Nydia Velazquez moved closer toward her 15th term in Congress, according to projections.

The 7th District primary race — as with most others — between Velazquez and Democratic opponent Paperboy Love Prince couldn't be called late into Tuesday because of a glut of absentee ballots yet to be counted.

But Velazquez held steady with more than 70 percent of the vote, causing the Associated Press to project her victory.

Prince on Wednesday texted a Patch reporter to point out thousands of absentee ballots remain uncounted. The race is still on as far as Prince is concerned.

"Not conceding at all," Prince said.

Absentee votes will be counted in a week.

Velazquez has served in Congress since 1993. Her district covers Sunset Park, Brooklyn Heights, Bushwick and many other parts of Brooklyn, Queens and Manhattan.

Prince shot to prominence for, among other things, a spate of viral "Yang Gang" videos about former presidential candidate Andrew Yang, a colorful wardrobe and energetic campaign. The rapper identifies as non binary, In Style reported.

Like many voters, Prince ran into trouble trying to cast a ballot. They didn't receive the ballot for their own race at a polling station.

Prince said they only received a one-page presidential ballot without any local or state races. Poll workers told them the ballot was correct, they said.

"They were so adamant about it I almost believed them," they said. "Then I thought I'm a candidate in the district, I should be on the ballot."

A poll worker finally found a stack of ballots with Prince's race, and others, on it. Prince said they've since heard about similar issues across the city.

"At least 100 people have reached out with issues related to their voting," they said. "And it's only 1 p.m."