Is the Bay Ridge side of the 46th Assembly District going to stand pat in the upcoming Democratic primary to fill the 46th Assembly District seat covering Coney Island, Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Bath Beach and Brighton Beach?
That remains the question after Ethan Lustig-Elgrably yesterday announced his candidacy for the seat left vacant following the multi-count corruption indictment and recent resignation of former Assemblymember Pamela Harris.
“From Bay Ridge to Coney Island, Southern Brooklyn needs a strong leader in Albany to get our fair share. I grew up here, and I know the challenges our families face. We need good schools, safe streets, support for our seniors, and better trains and buses. I’ve worked in public service, I fought for this community, and I’m going to make sure every one of us is honestly represented in Albany,” said Lustig-Elgrably.
Lutig-Elgraby said if elected he will focus on improving train and bus service, creating educational opportunities including programs for financial literacy and technical skills, cleaning up corruption, addressing the affordable housing crisis, supporting seniors, and strengthening the community’s storm preparedness and resiliency.
The grandchild of a Holocaust survivor, Lustig-Elgraby was born, raised, and lives in Southern Brooklyn. He most recently worked for the parks department and previously served as legislative director, and then chief of staff for City Councilmember Mark Treyger (D-Coney Island, Bensonhurst, Gravesend).
Included in the emailed release that Lustig-Elgraby was running was a long list of elected officials and community supporters including Treyger, State Sen. Diane Savino (D-Coney Island, Sunset Park, Staten Island) Assemblymember William Colton (D-Bensonhurst, Bath Beach) and Democratic District Leaders Ari Kagan (AD-45), Margarita Kagan (AD-45), Charlie Ragusa (AD-47), and Nancy Tong (AD-47).
“I am proud to endorse Ethan for Assembly. He’s smart, inclusive, effective, and knows how to get things done in government. Most importantly, he knows Southern Brooklyn and the hardworking families of this district. I have complete trust in him to be the leader we need in Albany,” said Treyger.
While there is a long list of supporters from the Coney Island/Brighton Beach/Bath Beach end of the district, none seem to be from the Bay Ridge/Dyker Heights side of the district, where Treyger, who is also the Male Democratic District Leader in the 46th AD, is not as popular.
Among his political rivals is City Council Member Justin Brannan (D-Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Bath Beach, Bensonhurst), who is one of the co-founders of the Bay Ridge Democrats political club. Through extension, the club is rivals of the United Progressive Democratic Club in Bay Ridge – home to Treyger, Colton, Ragusa and Tong.
In the runup to Harris’ first winning the open Democratic Primary two years ago, Brannan’s current chief of staff Chris McCreight ran and lost against Treyger for the district leader seat. McCreight ran on a ticket with Kate Cucco, who lost against Harris. Jonathan Yedin, who ran Cucco’s campiagn, is currently Brannan’s communications director.
There were allegations throughout that contenscous race that Harris had possible legal issues concerning her relationship with the non-profit she ran, which ultimately led to the federal criminal charges against her. Despite these rumors, Harris – with Treyger’s strong support – won, but her indictment cost Treyger some political capital.
Among the rumors abounding is that the Bay Ridge Democrats may put up McCreight, or that State Senate Candidate Andrew Gounardes might drop out of that race and enter the assembly race. Other rumors include that U.S. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-Central Brooklyn, Coney Island) is putting some pressure on the Bay Ridge Democrats to not run anybody.
A Bay Ridge Democratic source played it mum on what the club will do. “You’ll have to wait and see,” said the source.
Also declaring for the seat are Coney Island Democratic community activist Mathylde Frontus, and Republican Attorney Steve Saperstein.
