Frontus Getting Ready for The Run Against Saperstein
CONEY ISLAND – With a little more than a month left before the general election, the endorsement “get” for the 46 Assembly seat is on its way.
Frontus struggled to secure endorsements from political figures during her primary run against Ethan Lustig-Egrably, suggesting her opponent had secured the establishment backing. Now, following a Board of Election confirmation pols are throwing their support behind Frontus during her race against Republican candidate Steve Saperstein.
Within minutes of the absentee/affidavit ballot count on Sept. 21, Frontus celebrated her unofficial win with Assemblymembers Rodneyse Bichotte (D-42) and Clyde Vanel (D-33) that latter of which appeared as Frontus’ campaign attorney during the paper ballot count.
Assemblywoman Bichotte, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, Councilman Jumaane Williams and District Leader Josue Pierre and other lawmakers are hosting a fundraiser for the Democratic nominee on Oct. 9.
City Councilman Justin Brannan endorsed Frontus via Twitter on Monday, the same day BOE released the official election results crowning Frontus with the 51-point lead.
“I’m honored to have the endorsement from Councilman Justin Brannan,” Frontus said. “I look forward to working with my neighbor and colleague in government so that we can collaborate on various projects for the betterment of Bay Ridge and southern Brooklyn.”
As for some of the lawmakers who came out in force in support of Lustig-Elgrably, such as U.S. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, City Council Speaker Corey Johnson and Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, some have now flipped to now support Frontus.
“Rep. Jeffries supports Mathylde Frontus, the Democratic nominee in the 46th Assembly district, and looks forward to working together with her on behalf of the hardworking people of the Coney Island Peninsula,” said a spokesperson for Jeffries.
A representative from City Council Speaker Corey Johnson’s office said he’ll “likely” endorse Frontus after their upcoming meeting.
BP Adams and Assemblyman Bill Colton (D-47) did not respond before post time, but District Leader Ari Kagan in the 45th Assembly District turned his favor towards Frontus for the general.
In a rare break of partisanship, City Councilman Robert Holden of Queens sided with the Republican in the race.
“Steve’s work as a teacher is based in his desire to help others succeed,” said Holden. “His candidacy to represent the people of the 46th Assembly District in Brooklyn is another example of that.”
But the Holden pull may not be able to compete with the “blue wave” heading to Southern Brooklyn with a congressional and senate race at stake in November.
City Councilman Mark Treyger told Bklyner he would back the nominee, this after having backed her primary opponent, Lustig-Elgrably.
“I have congratulated Dr. Frontus and have been in touch with her campaign, ” said Treyger. “Making sure the seat stays blue is critical, I am surely supporting her and I look forward to making a formal announcement soon.”
Before Frontus and Saperstein face off in the Nov. 6 primary, the two are slated to go head-to-head Wednesday at the Bay Ridge Inter-Agency Council for Aging at the Ft. Hamilton Senior Center. The forum will cover four of the races in Southern Brooklyn:
Congressional District 11: Dan Donovan (R) vs Max Rose (D)
Senatorial District 22: Marty Golden (R) vs Andrew Gounardes (D)
Assembly District 46: Mathylde Frontus (D) vs Steve Saperstein (R)
Assembly District 64: Nicole Malliotakis (R) vs Adam Baumel (D)