Brooklyn Democratic Party Chair congratulates winners in Primary

Brooklyn Democratic Party Chair, Assemblywoman Rodneyse Bichotte-Hermelyn, on Wednesday congratulated the winners in Tuesday’s Democratic Primary.

“I congratulate the projected winners across Brooklyn and New York City, and look forward to working with our party’s victorious new Democratic nominees and returning incumbents in the New York City Council and Kings County Civil Court,” said Bichotte-Hermelyn, the daughter of Haitian immigrants, who represents the 42nd Assembly District in Brooklyn.

Bichotte-Hermelyn said New York City Council had four contested elections for Democratic seats representing Brooklyn.

“Congratulations to incumbent winners Jennifer Gutiérrez (34th Council District) and Darlene Mealy (41st Council District), both of whom I am confident will continue their dedicated work to better their districts and our borough,” she said.

The Brooklyn Democratic Party Chair also applauded Brooklyn’s fresh victors for the New York City Council: Susan Zhuang (43rd Council District), who made history as the first Asian-American Democratic nominee for City Council in Kings County; and Chris Banks, “an ardent advocate with strong union backing who won against longtime incumbent Charles Barron in the 42nd Council District.”

Additionally, Bichotte-Hermelyn congratulated Linda Wilson, who won the contested primary election for Civil Court Judge in Kings County, along with the winning slate of Delegates to the Judicial Convention for the 46th and 54th Assembly Districts.

“We’re all Democrats,” she said. “I express my utmost respect for all candidates who took part in our vital election process, which represents the bedrock of our democracy,” she said, also thanking all the volunteers, election workers and voters “who played a vital part in this pivotal Primary, as we remain steadfast for the General Election in November.”

Bichotte-Hermelyn had endorsed Turquoise Haskin, Esq., who was on the ballot for Civil Court.

“Turquoise Haskin is a highly-qualified candidate with a 14-year track record of excellence in the New York Unified Court system,” she said in her endorsement.

“Haskin is capable, committed, and I’m confident that she will utilize a culturally-competent and progressive approach to justice to fairly serve all Brooklynites,” Bichotte-Hermelyn added. “I’m proud to endorse Turquoise Haskin for Civil Court.”

She had also endorsed the following uncontested candidates for Civil Court– not on the ballot – in the Primary: Marva Brown, Esq.; Monique Holaman, Esq.; and Betsey Jean-Jacques, Esq.

Additionally, for Surrogate Court, Bichotte-Hermelyn, had endorsed Hon. Bernard J. Graham, acting Surrogate Court Judge.

“The Brooklyn Democratic Party endorses culturally competent judges who were selected through a thorough vetting process to serve the needs of all Brooklynites fairly and impartially,” she said. “These endorsed candidates follow a progressive approach to justice and have the right experience and expertise to serve our constituents.”

The Civil Court handles cases dealing with issues as diverse as the population of the city it serves. Civil Court judges serve a 10-year term, and have jurisdiction over landlord-tenant cases and civil court claims up to $25,000, along with small claims court for the informal resolution of cases involving amounts of up to $10,000.

The Surrogate’s Court maintains jurisdiction over all actions and proceedings relating to the affairs of decedents.

This includes the probate of wills and the administration of estates, disputed claims, compromise and settlement of wrongful death actions and guardianships.

Surrogate Court judges in Kings County serve a 14-year term.

Incumbent Mealy won the Democratic Primary in Tuesday’s vote, while another incumbent, Charles Barron, lost in the election.

With 98.4 percent of the precincts reporting, Mealy – whose District 41 includes Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brownsville, Crown Heights, East Flatbush and Ocean Hill – garnered over 60 percent of the votes in a four-way race.

Mealy, who has won the council district four times more than any Democratic district leader, received 61.63 percent of the ballots.

Isis McIntosh Green received 29.53 percent of the vote; Reginald Bowman 4.93 percent; and Joyce Shearin 3.46 percent.

Barron was heavily upset by anti-poverty candidate Chris Banks in District 42, which includes parts of East Flatbush, East New York and Starrett City.

With 99 percent of the precincts reporting, Barron received 43.20 percent of the votes to Banks’ 50.54 percent. Jamiliah Rose received 5.39 percent.

Banks reportedly received the strong endorsement of labor unions, who invested heavily on his candidacy.

In the Democratic Primary in District 43, which includes Sunset Park, Bensonhurst and Gravesend, Susan Zhuang, the chief of staff to Assemblyman William Colton, received 58.57 percent of the ballots, with 97.89 percent of the precincts reporting.

Wai Yee Chan received 31.02 percent of the ballots, and Stanley Ng’s received 9.51 percent.

For the Republican Primary in District 43, Ying Tan received 50.67 percent of the votes to Vito LaBella’s 47.25 percent.

There was no Primary in the following Brooklyn City Council Districts: 33, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 44, 45, 46, 47 and 48.

Early voting in New York started on Saturday, Jun. 17, and ended on Sunday, Jun. 25, 2023.