In what wasn’t exactly a shocker, Democrat Jaime Williams soundly defeated Republican Jeffrey Ferretti in the special election for the open 59th Assembly district seat covering Canarsie, Mill Basin, Old Mill Basin, Gerritsen Beach, Georgetown and Flatlands.
According to the unofficial tally, Williams garnered 82 percent of the electorate or 14,522 votes to Ferretti’s 18 percent or 3,086 votes.
Williams, the chief of staff for former 59th District Assembly Member Roxanne Persaud, had the strong backing of both Kings County Democratic Party Boss Frank Seddio and the powerful Thomas Jefferson Democratic Club. She received the nod to run, when Persaud successfully ran and won the 19th Senate District seat last year, leaving the assembly seat open.
“I’m excited more so now than ever, especially for the constituents of this district, which hasn’t had representation for several months,” said Williams.
Williams said her extensive campaigning for the past two weeks in meeting constituents throughout the district paid off, and she was especially thankful for the roughly 100 volunteers that canvased the neighborhood on her behalf and worked hard on the get out the vote drive.
Ferretti is a lifelong resident and business owner in the district, and remains well regarded. However, being a Republican in the heavily Democratic district, and in the heart of Seddio’s district, made his campaign an uphill battle at best.
Williams said she ran into Ferretti and his wife on election day when both were campaigning at Flatbush Jewish Park in Mill Basin.
“He is a very nice man and at the end of the day we have one thing in common – a love for the district and doing the best we can for it,” said Williams.
Williams will have to run again this year in the regular assembly race. The state primary for that race is September and the general election is in November.
