Within minutes of State Senator Pedro Espada, Jr. conceding defeat last week, his victorious opponent Gustavo Rivera arrived at the Monte Carlo Room on Jerome Avenue, where hundreds of his supporters had gathered.

He entered through a side door, to a chorus of roars and cheers, and made for the stage, hugging and high-fiving anyone in his way.

“Tonight, the people of the northwest Bronx have spoken,” Rivera said. “They’ve sent a clear message that will echo all across New York State: We want our government back, and we won’t take no for an answer!”

At about five minutes in, he started thanking all the elected officials and organizations that backed him. It’s a list that is long and impressive — from Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. and businessman Bill Samuels, to large unions (32BJ, 1199 SEIU, CIR/SEIU and more) and the Working Families Party — and it took Rivera a while to give everyone their due.

“I feel like I’m going to have a partner to work with on real issues like on housing,” said Councilman Fernando Cabrera, after Rivera’s victory was confirmed. “We are going to make a difference. We’ll have a partnership the district actually deserves.”

While Cabrera and other officials came and went, Rivera stayed behind with his supporters — an eclectic mix of millionaires (or at least one millionaire: Samuels), Bronxites of varying ages and races, and union members and organizers from across the city, most in their 20s and 30s. Late in the evening, Governor David Paterson also showed up to join in the fun.

Nearly everyone wore a huge smile, and there were long lines at the bar. Jay-Z’s “Empire State of Mind” (Neeeew York! Neeeew York!) seemed to be on a loop, and the dance floor was packed.  At 12:30 a.m., the party was still going strong.
—Additional reporting by Jordan Moss