Republicans Made Inroads in Brooklyn, Winning First State Senate Seat in Over 20 Years
Republicans made significant gains in Brooklyn, with more ballots cast for Donald Trump than any Republican presidential candidate in over two decades. This red tide was particularly evident in Southern Brooklyn, where former NYPD sergeant Steve Chan ousted incumbent Iwen Chu, giving Republicans their first State Senate seat in the borough since 2018.
"It is absolutely a red wave, but it’s a wave because people are frustrated," said Richard Barsamian, Brooklyn’s Republican Party chairman. "That red wave cannot happen without crossover Democrat support. We’re only opposed to those Democrats who decide that they want to stray from moderate, common-sense representation of the people."
Chan’s win was a result of Asian-American voters in the district shifting to the right, motivated in part by opposition to a forthcoming Bensonhurst homeless shelter. "Chan always supported us" in protesting against the 86th Street homeless shelter, said Lina Chen, a Bensonhurst community activist. "People call him and he comes right away, Iwen Chu, never."
More Republicans Elected in Brooklyn Than in 60 Years
In the borough’s two other competitive local races, Republican Assemblymembers Alec Brook-Krasny and Michael Novakhov both appeared to hold the seats they’d flipped red in 2022. However, Novakhov was up by just 270 votes as of Wednesday afternoon, and his Democratic challenger, Joey Saban, said he was waiting for the absentee ballots to be counted before conceding.
"We can definitely take this seat in two years," said former Brooklyn Democratic Party boss Frank Seddio, who was overheard saying at Saban’s watch party in Homecrest. "We have more Republicans elected in Brooklyn now than we have in 60 years."
Conclusion
Tuesday’s results represent a significant shift in Brooklyn politics, with Republicans making inroads in a traditionally Democratic stronghold. While some Democrats may be disappointed, others see this as an opportunity for the party to re-evaluate its approach and appeal to a broader range of voters.
FAQs
Q: What were the key issues in the 2024 Brooklyn elections?
A: Opposition to the forthcoming Bensonhurst homeless shelter and the Southern border migrant issue were major factors in the election.
Q: How did the Republican Party achieve this success?
A: By appealing to voters who were frustrated with the Democratic Party’s stance on issues such as the homeless shelter and the migrant crisis, and by running candidates who were seen as more moderate and effective.
Q: What does this mean for the future of Brooklyn politics?
A: This shift could lead to a more competitive landscape in Brooklyn, with Republicans potentially gaining more traction in future elections. However, Democrats will need to reassess their strategy to regain the momentum they lost in 2024.
