As Kings County Democratic Party Chair Frank Seddio formally gave his endorsement for Assemblywoman Roxanne Persaud to run on the Democratic Party line for the 19th Senate District seat, longtime Democratic Party operative George Arzt looked on from the back of the long, narrow Thomas Jefferson Democratic Clubhouse room.
“It’s fait accompli,” he said, explaining the term means it’s a done deal that Persaud will become the district’s next senator, even before the borough’s Democratic Party Executive Committee formally endorses her and the expected Nov. 3 special election takes place.
In endorsing Persaud, Seddio also thanked her predecessor, John Sampson, who now faces prison after being convicted on federal corruption charges, after serving in the senate for the past 18 years.
“John Sampson served the community well and we all pray for him to get through his current trouble,” Seddio told the packed meeting hall filled with district leaders and party workers. “I spoke with him recently and he wanted me to thank all of you.”
In accepting the endorsement, Persaud echoed Seddio’s feelings. “Before Senator Sampson stepped down people asked me about my plans and I said to people you don’t bury a friend until they are dead,” said Persaud.
Persaud, who a year ago was the freshman assembly member from the 59th district, said she has always been a hard, honest and straight-forward worker, and vowed to continue that ethic in the senate. Her priorities include getting more funding for NYCHA repairs and libraries, and working to curb the violence which is on the rise in parts of the district which includes Canarsie, East News York, Mill Basin, a slice of of Marine Park and a small rectangle of Sheepshead Bay.
Among those not in the attendance was disgruntled TJ Club member Sam Pierre, who was hoping to get both Seddio and the club’s nod for the seat. Pierre, who previously said he is strongly considering running on another party line, did not return a call at post time.
But Seddio offered no apologies for picking Persaud, saying as the 59th Assembly District Leader and the party chair, he has always been about the TJ Club serving the communities from which the people come. As such, he called Persaud the most qualified person to do the job.
“We are the people making the community better,” he said.
