Twenty years ago, in 1989, minority groups had just become a majority of the New York City’s population, but only 9 of the 35 members of City Council were black or Hispanic and no Asians were present. After the 1991 elections, the Council’s composition became 40 percent minority. According to the New York Times, when the Council held its last meeting of 2008, there were 51 districts and 25 black, Hispanic or Asian members. Now, after September’s primary vote, Hispanic and Asian members are poised to make up a majority for the first time when the new Council is sworn into office in January. As of now, with one vacancy, the Council has 24 black, Hispanic and Asian members. Depending on how many of the other Democratic candidates elected are victorious in the November 3 general election, that number could climb as high as 28.
