Early voting is open now in New York City. The New York Young Republican Club calls on all registered Republicans and conservatives to vote in the Republican primary elections in the Council Districts below. This voter guide summarizes our endorsements, highlights Club members running in competitive Republican primaries, and outlines our thoughts on the state of the Republican Party in this election cycle.
Brooklyn
In Council District 48, the New York Young Republican Club is proud to endorse Club member and Councilwoman Inna Vernikov for reelection. From Brighton Beach to Midwood, Councilwoman Vernikov has fearlessly defended her constituents against rising antisemitism and the consequences of leftist soft-on-crime policies that endanger New Yorkers. Councilwoman Vernikov was the lead sponsor in a successful resolution recognizing April 29th as End Jew Hatred day. She is a vocal backer of President Donald J. Trump’s immigration policies and, as a former immigration attorney herself, has seen firsthand just how broken our immigration system is.
Councilwoman Vernikov is a staunch supporter of meritocracy and the rule of law. Throughout her career, she has relentlessly defended the freedoms that make America great and New York safe. Councilwoman Vernikov was endorsed by Donald Trump Jr., Elise Stefanik, Mike Lawler, Nicole Malliotakis, and other top New York Republicans. We urge all patriots living in southern Brooklyn – including Brighton Beach, Homecrest, Manhattan Beach, parts of Midwood, and Sheepshead Bay – to vote in the Republican primary election for Councilwoman Inna Vernikov’s Reelection. Keep District 48 in the hands of a real Republican!
Vote to reelect Councilwoman Inna Vernikov.
In Council District 47, the New York Young Republican Club endorses George Sarantopoulos for City Council. A lifelong New Yorker and proud Bay Ridge resident, Mr. Sarantopoulos brings his unmatched real-world experience to the fight for our city — experience forged over decades in business, public service, and grassroots leadership. Previously, Mr. Sarantopoulos served as Communications Director at the New York State Assembly and helped lead local and state campaigns to restore common sense to government. Unlike many career politicians, Mr. Sarantopoulos knows firsthand the stakes of City Council decisions for working families and small business owners.
We urge all patriots in Bay Ridge, Coney Island, Bath Beach, Sea Gate and Dyker Heights to stand with a true leader who will fight for our neighborhoods, our freedoms, and our future. Let’s put District 47 in Republican hands we can trust.
Vote for community leader George Sarantopoulos.
Staten Island
In Council District 51, the New York Young Republican Club is proud to endorse member and Councilman Frank Morano for reelection. Two months ago, with the help of our Club, Councilman Morano won the April 29 special election to succeed the great Joe Borelli. Since then, he has been hard at work fighting for his district on the City Council. Councilman Morano boasts endorsement from more than two dozen local organizations, including the Police Benevolent Association, the Uniformed Firefighters Association, and the Staten Island Republican Party.
Councilman Morano is the archetypal Staten Islander. Formerly the host of the nationally syndicated radio show, The Other Side of Midnight, Frank is familiar with putting in long hours on the job. He recognizes that the Republican Party of the future is one that is focused on reform, populism, and common sense. We urge all South Shore Staten Islanders from Tottenville to New Springville to vote to reelect Frank Morano. A vote for him is a vote to Make New York Great Again!
Vote to reelect Councilman Frank Morano.
Smithtown
In Smithtown, the New York Young Republican Club is proud to endorse member Edward Wehrheim for town supervisor. Born and raised in Smithtown, Supervisor Wehrheim exemplifies public service to his nation and community. A veteran of two tours in Vietnam, the lessons he learned during his time in uniform shaped his lifelong dedication to our country. For nearly half a century, he has held a variety of roles which included being a Town Councilman member from 2003 to 2017, Director of Parks, and Smithtown Town Supervisor since 2017. He is committed to a “Smithtown First” approach to protect the town he loves and the New York Young Republican Club proudly stands behind him.
Vote to reelect Supervisor Edward Wehrheim.
Message from the Club
The current state of New York City is deeply concerning to the New York Young Republican Club. In the Democratic Primary, a radical socialist is facing off against the fairy godmother of bail reform; New Yorkers, especially Republicans, face a choice between bad and worse if Democrats are allowed to prevail in November. But voting does not begin in November – voting begins in June, with primary elections to select candidates for the final round.
Healthy civic engagement requires a concerted effort by the party apparatus to field candidates in as many Council Districts as possible. In the current cycle, there are Republican primaries in only three districts: the 47th, 48th, and 51st. In two of these – the 48th and 51st – outside candidates with checkered records are challenging MAGA incumbents who have a track record of success on the City Council. The absence of primaries in other districts reflects apathy and despair, but New Yorkers should not allow themselves to believe that the quest to save New York City is hopeless.
It is the job of each Republican Party Chair to recruit and run candidates in their districts. It is one thing for a candidate to run and lose; it is another not to try. In a vibrant democracy, New Yorkers would be presented with options to choose candidates that most reflect their values. In the last ten years, the number of Republicans on the City Council doubled from three to six, as New Yorkers saw what the Democrats had to offer and wanted more choices. Republican Party Chairs must meet the demand of the people for the Party to succeed.
All this being said, if you live in one of the three districts with primary battles, it is important to vote. Election Day is this upcoming Tuesday, June 24, but early voting is available through Sunday the 22nd , as well. If you are unsure of your precinct location or which district you live in, or if you need to check your registration status, go to nycvotes.org or reach out to the Club. We’ll do our best to assist.