If endorsements won elections, than Democratic challenger Zellnor Myrie would unseat State Sen. Jesse Hamilton (D-Central Brooklyn) in a landslide in the upcoming Democratic Primary for the 20th Senate District.
That after Myrie received the endorsement of Brooklyn’s entire Democratic Congressional delegation including US. Reps. Yvette Clarke (who lives in the state senate district), Hakeem Jeffries, Jerrold Nadler and Nydia Velázquez in front of the Brooklyn Museum on Eastern Parkway today.
The four federal lawmakers each cited Hamilton formerly belonging to the senate’s Independent Democratic Conference (IDC), which had formed a ruling coalition with the Republican majority in the senate as the main reason for their endorsements.
“The Trump administration is in the midst of an all-out assault on all of the values New Yorkers hold dear. When the threat to so many communities is so real and omnipresent, we cannot afford supposed Democrats who play games with Republicans for the sake of getting a corner office,” said Nadler. “Make no mistake about it, our country is facing a crisis at the hands of a Republican Party whose only mission is to reward the powerful few at our expense. In this moment, in this time we need men of exceptional capability and integrity. Zellnor Myrie is that man and now is that moment. I am proud to stand with him.”
“We don’t have time for ‘convenient’ Democrats – the only people we need in the Democratic corner are bold progressives ready to fight. The climate is too hostile and the stakes too high to take a chance on a politician who has already turned their back on this community once,” said Velázquez. “Affordable housing, immigrant justice, and equitable education funding isn’t just going to happen – we need leaders like Zellnor to stand up and fight for these causes. He is a true Democrat, a real ally of working people, and I am proud to endorse him.”
“The Trump administration is a clear and present danger to our immigrant communities. We must have true Democratic advocates in Albany who will stand strong and fight the Republican agenda, not embrace it,” said Clarke. “The IDC worked with their Republican partners to prevent New York from becoming a true sanctuary state. As a result, there are ICE agents in our hospitals, in our schools, and outside our courthouses. As the son of immigrants, Zellnor’s passion for protecting the most vulnerable in our community is personal. He’s a true ally. I’m proud to stand with Zellnor as we fight to protect all threatened immigrant communities.”
“Zellnor Myrie understands that with Trump in the White House we need strong Democrats in the State Senate who will stand up to Republicans, not vote with them,” said Jeffries. “Zellnor will be a powerful new voice for public schools, affordable housing, criminal justice reform, and all the issues that matter to our community. I’m proud to endorse him.”
Myrie thanked the federal lawmakers as being tireless advocates for the community in Washington and the first line of defense against the attacks coming out of the White House.
“Together, we’re sending a message that being a Democrat requires you to actually support Democrats and progressive policies. Central Brooklyn is tired of empty promises. We need real change. I stand here today ready to deliver,” said Myrie.
The primary is Sept. 13. The district includes Brownsville, Crown Heights, East Flatbush, Gowanus, Park Slope, Prospect Heights, Prospect Lefferts Gardens, South Slope, and Sunset Park.
