Assemblywoman Jaime R. Williams scored a decisive victory in the June 23rd Democratic Primary, earning the overwhelming confidence of voters throughout Brooklyn’s 59th Assembly District and defeating Democratic Socialists of America (DSA)-backed challenger Jibreel Jalloh by nearly a two-to-one margin.
While several races across New York City saw victories by DSA-backed candidates, voters in the 59th Assembly District (covering Canarsie, Flatlands, Georgetown, Mill Basin, Marine Park, Bergen Beach and Gerritsen Beach) charted a different course, reaffirming their confidence in Williams’ community-focused leadership.
Supporters gathered on the evening of the election at the newly relocated Thomas Jefferson Democratic Club (TJ Club) at 5809 Avenue T in Mill Basin, where volunteers, community leaders and elected officials celebrated the hard-fought victory after months of campaigning throughout the district.
Williams opened her remarks by thanking God and the many volunteers who helped propel her to victory.
“I just want to thank everyone who was really involved in this campaign,” she said. “For the past few months, we just kept hammering away, and this week we pounded the sidewalk — in the rain, in the sun — and we were still working together.”
She also praised former State Senator Carl Kruger for his mentorship and guidance throughout the campaign, while thanking campaign workers, the TJ Club family, her husband Philip Williams, community leaders and the Jewish community for standing with her.
“I’m just really happy to be able to move to the General Election in November and continue fighting for our community,” Williams said.
Her remarks echoed the message she delivered in a campaign mailer distributed after the election.
“To the thousands of voters who joined in supporting our campaign and sending me back to Albany — thank you,” the mailer reads. “Your trust and belief in our community drive me every day to keep fighting for the neighborhoods we love. I look forward to continuing our work together.”
It concludes with a pledge for the future: “The primary may be over, but our work continues. The General Election is in November, and we need your continued support to keep delivering for our community in Albany. Let’s keep going — together.”
Another closely watched contest saw Assemblywoman Monique Chandler-Waterman defeat Councilwoman Mercedes Narcisse for Female Democratic District Leader in the neighboring 58th Assembly District. State Senator Kevin Parker won the race for Male Democratic District Leader in the same district.
Incumbent District Leader Frank Seddio beat Stanley Scutt in the race for Male Democratic District Leader in the 59th Assembly District.
Williams, who also won the seat for Female District Leader in the 59th Assembly District, now advances to the November General Election, where she will appear on both the Democratic and Conservative Party ballot lines. Her supporters believe last week’s decisive victory demonstrated that voters across the 59th Assembly District remain firmly behind her record of accessibility, constituent service and delivering results in Albany. As her campaign message simply states: “Always Accessible. Always Listening. Always Working.”
Also on the ballot was incumbent Thomas DiNapoli, who won the contest for NYS Comptroller.
