NEW YORK – As the absentee ballots in many locations are still being counted, the primary election results for Greek-American and Philhellene candidates are not yet official in a few races.

In New York, incumbent U.S. Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney has taken the lead in the Democratic primary, while incumbent New York State Assembly Member Aravella Simotas still seems to be trailing in her primary battle against her opponent Zohran Mamdani. Simotas was first elected to her seat in 2011 and was the first female ever elected to the New York State Assembly from her district.

In the New Jersey primary which took place on July 7, Greek-American Zina Spezakis appears to be trailing in her run for the U.S. House of Representatives District 9 against the Democratic incumbent, Rep. Bill Pascrell. The votes from most of the precincts, however, are still being counted at press time.

In other results, New York State Senate Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris won the Democratic primary in his re-election bid. Assembly Member Nicole Malliotakis won the Republican nomination for Congress, and Cypriot-American Michael Tannousis won the Republican and Conservative Party nomination in his campaign for Malliotakis’ Assembly seat.

Queens Borough President candidate Costa Constantinides is still in third-place behind Elizabeth Crowley and leading vote-getter Donovan Richards. New York City Council Member Constantinides was vying to become the first Greek and Cypriot American to ever head one of New York City's five boroughs.