State Senator Zellnor Myrie (D-Brownsville, Crown Heights, East Flatbush, Gowanus, Park Slope, Prospect Heights, Prospect Lefferts Gardens, South Slope, Sunset Park) had quite the celebration yesterday, as he invited local electeds and residents to revel in his win as the newest representative of the 20th Senate District.
Myrie beat incumbent and former IDC-member Jesse Hamilton last November in a contentious race to give the State Legislature a Democratic majority.
The win solidified Myrie as one of the freshman elected’s to watch and a young political official with a bright future. Just last month, Myrie marked a major milestone becoming the first freshman to pass the first piece of legislation of a new legislative session.
In January, Myrie not even a month into his first term and chair of the Senate’s Elections Committee, saw Gov. Andrew Cuomo sign into law his bill (S1102) allowing for early voting. Specifically, the measure allows eligible voters in New York State to vote in person during a specific window in advance of Election Day
This sentiment was echoed by fellow state colleague Assemblywoman Diana Richardson (D-Crown Heights, East Flatbush, Lefferts Gardens, Wingate), who became a major ally in Myrie’s campaign last year.
“I am so excited, I have waited for this moment for such a long time because it is a new day in the 20th Senatorial District. With Zellnor’s successful election, let me tell you right now, we sent a strong message to all elected officials, that turncoats, sellouts and deceivers will not be allowed,” said Richardson.
One of the ceremonies underlying themes was the previous administration’s alliance with Senate Republicans. The now defunct IDC as a major stumbling block in previous administrations for getting progressive legislation passed.
City Councilman Brad Lander (D-Park Slope, Kensington, Windsor Terrace), co-founder and chair of the Council’s Progressive Caucus, was among those who praised the changing of the guard.
“Zellnor’s decision to run helped wake us up to a real perversion of our democracy that we were not paying enough attention to. Too many of us have been lulled into complacency, we had come to accept that even though we had elected Democrats, we could not win the things that mattered most to us,” said Lander.
Myrie has taken the personal mantle of “making the impossible possible” following his political win and recent legislative gains.
“I wouldn’t be standing here today if I believed when people told me what was impossible. We were always told that the Republicans would control the state senate. That you couldn’t beat an incumbent, that I was too young, that I was too inexperienced, too poor, too miss-matched to topple the old system. Yet, here we are,” said Myrie.
Myrie is hoping to keep his momentum going in Albany as he looks to fight against gentrification sweeping across Central Brooklyn alongside legislation that will curb climate change, protect homeownership, protect and give immigrants and undocumented New Yorkers rights, among other issues.
“There is so much more work for us to do. Everyone in this room has a role to play. So to get to the next step we are all going to have to work together,” added Myrie.
The over two-hour event included praise from Rep. Chuck Schumer (D-NY), U.S. Rep. Yvette D. Clarke (D- Brownsville, Crown Heights, East Flatbush, Flatbush, Kensington, Midwood, Prospect Heights, Prospect Lefferts Gardens, Park Slope), Attorney General Letitia James, Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez and SUNY Downstate President Wayne J. Riley, MD.
“I so enjoy coming to these swearing ins and this is a special one because we have here a star. No one plucked him out of nowhere, he wasn’t born with a silver spoon. He did it the old fashion way, he earned it” said Schumer.
“Zellnor is really the true embodiment of what it means to make it in America. You heard he’s the son of immigrants, to parents who sacrificed to give him the opportunities they never had. Zellnor stands for the promise of this country. He is the best antidote to the destructive and repressive rhetoric coming from Washington D.C. Congratulations to the 20th Senatorial District for getting it right,” said James.
“You have the talent. You have the expertise. You are my Senator, I vote for you. I believe that the pendulum has swung. A democracy is one that you have to be actively engaged with each and everyday and each and every moment, ” said Clarke.
The ceremony also included performances by Kimberly Lewis, the Berean Community Drumline, Brooklyn Tech Step Dance Team, Organized Chaos, Ballet Folklorico and the Chinese American Planning Council Senior Dance Group.
The evening was eclipsed by Myrie’s oath of office alongside his mother, Inez, with Senate Deputy Majority Leader Senator Michael Gianaris (D-Queens) giving the Oath of Office.
