Rival Factions Vie For 19th Senate District Ahead Of Democratic Primary

Rival Factions Vie For 19th Senate District Ahead Of Democratic Primary
Mercedes Narcisse announcing her candidacy for the 19th Senate District. (Photo: Mercedes Narcisse / Facebook)
Mercedes Narcisse announcing her candidacy for the 19th Senate District. (Photo: Mercedes Narcisse / Facebook)

A turf war is underway for control of East Brooklyn’s State Senate seat.

Mercedes Narcisse, a businesswoman and registered nurse, will challenge newly elected Senator Roxanne Persaud in the upcoming September Democratic Primary, the Observer reports.

Persaud swept a special election in November — winning 90 percent of the vote — to fill the spot vacated by John Sampson, who was convicted of obstruction of justice and lying to federal agents as part of a corruption investigation. Persaud’s senate district includes parts of Sheepshead Bay, Mill Basin, Marine Park, Bergen Beach, Canarsie, and East New York.

Persaud previously served one year as the Assemblywoman for the 59th District, which she won in a special election after Alan Maisel left the post to take a seat on the City Council.

In challenging Persaud during the September primary, Narcisse is taking on Kings County Democratic Party Boss Frank Seddio, who backed Persaud in both elections, the Observer reports. Persaud also has the support of the powerful Thomas Jefferson Democratic Club, according to Kings County Politics.

But Narcisse enters the race with supporters of her own — who appear eager the usurp power from the Brooklyn Democratic Machine. East New York City Councilwoman Inez Barron, wife of Assemblyman Charles Barron, has thrown her support behind Narcisse’s candidacy. The Barron’s run a far-left political club called Operation P.O.W.E.R. By challenging the Democratic Party’s nominee, they are seeking to expand their influence in Brooklyn, the Observer reports.

Narcisse also has a troubled history with Seddio. Despite being the godfather to one of Narcisse’s children, the political boss backed her opponent, Alan Maisel, when she ran for City Council in 2013, according to the Observer.

At a press conference held earlier this month, Narcisse said she wanted to address to home foreclosures in East New York, as well as issues related to healthcare, education, and unemployment, Kings County Politics reports.

“It is no secret that our community is facing many serious issues that must be confronted head on, so we can no longer afford to tolerate just talk. We need to do work,” she reportedly said.

Councilwoman Barron also attended the press conference to show her support for the upstart candidate and touted Narcisse’s qualifications for the Senate seat.

According to Kings County Politics, Barron said: “Mercedes has the experience, independent-thinking and passion to help pursue the resources this community needs to improve our schools, care for our seniors and help increase affordable housing in our neighborhoods.”

Seddio and the Thomas Jefferson Club have also thrown their support behind Jamie Williams, Persaud’s former chief of staff, who will seek to fill the now open Assembly seat seat during the April special election, according to Kings County Politics.