Primary Election Results
In a historic New York primary, five of the six candidates looking to take the seats of former members of the Independent Democratic Conference reigned supreme.
The Brooklyn leg of the anti-IDC cohort, who backed Zellnor Myrie (D-20), helped overtake State Sen. Jesse Hamilton’s seat. Dozens came out to 225 Rogers Ave. to see the up-to-the-minute results. Supporters celebrated the final vote difference of 3,463, with a chant of, “Fuck IDC.”
“We knew that people didn’t want business as usual,” Myrie said to his audience. “We knew that the status quo couldn’t serve anymore and we knew that we needed new leadership right here in Central Brooklyn.”
The tale of two neighborhoods reverberated throughout the campaign period but nearing election day, tensions flared. Assemblywoman Diana Richardson, who received early acknowledgments at the election party, was in attendance. Richardson was one of the first to throw her support behind Zellnor after a feud between her and Hamilton. And since, flare-ups ensued between different factions within the community, splitting the district in half.
“We have a responsibility to the community to govern and I’m more than happy to talk to folks that were on the other side,” Zellnor told Bklyner. “I look forward to representing everyone regardless of their political affiliation,” he said of the 300,000 residents in the district.
City Council Speaker Corey Johnson and Assemblymembers Walter Mosley and Joanne Simon were also in attendance.
Hamilton’s gathering was less festive at Woodland (242 Flatbush Ave.). No more than six people faced a monitor scanning polling results for NY1.
State Sen. Diane Savino (D23) beat out her challenger Jasmine Robinson. The former member of the IDC is the sole member to retain her seat as a New York State senator. Final results: 65.9% 34.1%
State Sen. Simcha Felder (D17) who often caucuses with the Republicans, beat his opponent Blake Morris with 65.9% of the vote. This despite a healthy endorsement from the New York Times, Daily News and a surge of Democrats set on replacing Felder.
Julia Salazar (D-18) snatched the 8-term senator Martin Dilan’s seat with close to 6000 votes in her favor. Days leading up to the election, Salazar faced scrutiny over statements she once made about her religion, education and upbringing. Yet, the district pulled through for the 27-year-old. Final results: 58.5% to 41.5%
On the other side of the borough, Andrew Gounardes pulled off a 57.9% to 42.1% win over his opponent, Ross Barkan. Gounardes will face Republican State Sen. Marty Golden in the Nov. 6 general election.
As for the hotly contested assembly race in Southern Brooklyn, the 50.6% to 49.4% race is too close to call for Ethan Lustig-Elgrably. The assembly hopeful released the following statement about his race with Mathylde Frontus.
“It is clear that this election is too close to call tonight with so many absentee and affidavit ballots left to be counted. The most important thing now is to make sure that every vote is counted. I am proud of the work of my campaign and am confident that we will be victorious after all of the votes are tallied.”
In statewide races, Gov. Andrew Cuomo beat Cynthia Nixon. Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul overtook Jumanne Williams and Letitia James beat out Zephyr Teachout for Attorney General.
District leaders returns shortly.
Source: NY. These results are unofficial.