2021 NYC 9th Council District Democratic Primary

The 2021 NYC 9th Council District Democratic primary, a venerate clowncar primary saw Longtime pol and 1-term incumbent Bill Perkins lose to political newcomer, DSA member Kristin Richardson Jordan in this uniformly democratic Harlem-centred district.

Suffering from memory issues, Perkins running for reelection surprised multiple observers, with multiple staff members and councilpeople raising concerns over his ability to do the job—adding a divided field to the mix and heading into the primary it was considered uphill climb for him to be defeated.

Perkins, involved for years, defended the exonerated (central park) five, had fought against lead paint in the state Senate and was overall a stalwart defender of Harlem throughout his elected career—a history that, were it not for his health issues, would've all but guaranteed renomination

However, Jordan—consolidating left-wing support in Harlem with the support of U.S. Represenatative Alexandria Ocasio Cortez and City Councilman Brad Lander—was able to use those concerns to propel herself into into a strong second; and win upon the RCV tabulation.

Perkins would sadly die in 2023, before Jordan's term—after which she retired from politics—ended