Last Tuesday, 86th District Assemblyman Nelson Castro fought off a primary challenge from Hector Ramirez, a district leader who’d received the support of the Bronx Democratic Party, Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr., and several large unions.

In what was the tightest race in the borough, Castro secured 54 percent of the vote to Ramirez’s 46, giving him a 269 vote victory margin.

While the certified results have yet to be released, Castro said Ramirez has already called to congratulate him.

Reached by phone this week, Castro was in high spirits. “I feel great. It’s a great victory,” he said. “Now going back to Albany I have a lot of expectations. I’m not a freshman anymore and so I should be able to ask for more and deliver more for my district.”

Castro, who pulled in a few endorsements himself, put his victory down to voters knowing him, liking him, and recognizing what he’s done in the community. While his opponent focused on attacking him, Castro says he was out there talking to people.

“We put strategy over theatrics. All the negative stuff they did, they did to cover up the fact that he [Ramirez] hasn’t done anything in the community,” Castro said.

On primary night Ramirez held what was supposed to be a victory party at a small restaurant on East Tremont Avenue. In the end, though, with the early results favoring Castro, it was a rather somber occasion.