In the heart of the district, on the corner of Newkirk Avenue and Nostrand Avenue co-named Toussaint L’overture Avenue, Public Advocate Jumaane Williams earlier today officially endorsed longtime community activist and candidate in the 45th special Election Monique Chandler-Waterman.
Williams purposely made the announcement on the well-known street corner as an ode to the district’s Caribbean roots and nod to the Haitian community in the district.
“I chose this location for a reason. I am going to have a serious conversation why. We are under Toussaint L’ouverture Boulevard in ‘Little Haiti’ and now my hope is that when all of us when we’re finished is to make sure we have a unified 45th District. I will be honest to say that there has been bias against that community and I have done my best to make sure we remain united. There are many great candidates in this race, but there is only one position,” said Williams.
Of note, Williams strongest supporter and campaign chair during his successful run for Public Advocate was Assemblywoman Rodneyse Bichotte (D-Flatbush, Ditmas Park) who has last year was able to get a ‘Little Haiti’ designation in the area ahead of a “Little Caribbean” designation.
Bichotte is a strong supporter of other front runner in the race Farah Louis, who also worked under Williams as his former chief of staff and is of Haitian descent.
Williams was quick to note that he pushed Chandler-Waterman to run for elected office even before the special election due to her community work through her non-profit East Flatbush Village Inc. The mother of four first met Williams ten years ago through her non-profit work in the community which would later land her a job as a community liaison in his office.
“To see where we were then and to what she has done with the organization now without a dime in the beginning, is remarkable and should be applauded. About a year and a half-ago, before the Lieutenant Governor’s race, when I knew I would be term-limited out. I said to Monique, “I encourage you to run,” said Williams.
Williams touted the 38-year-old’s longtime roots in the district as a main factor behind his endorsement.
“I am proud to endorse Monique-Chandler Waterman for City Council in the 45th District. I believe her and her family embody the sentiment that you don’t have to move to another district to live in a better one,” added Williams.
This endorsement marks a major push in Chandler-Waterman’s campaign with less than a month until the special election as she and Louis look to deal it out among another pool of 6 candidates.
“It is important to know that as we continue to build on Jumaane’s legacy, we will continue to build our own legacy together in this district. You don’t have fill someone’s shoes, you just have to walk in the path that God has set for you. I am here to listen. I have been there for the last 20 years and I will continue to be there,” said Chandler-Waterman.
Chandler-Waterman also picked up endorsements from State Senators Kevin Parker (D-Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood, Ditmas Park, Kensington, Windsor Terrace, Park Slope) and Zellnor Myrie (D-Central Brooklyn), Assemblyman N. Nick Perry (D-East Flatbush), Majority Leader Councilwoman Laurie Cumbo (D-Clinton Hill, Fort Greene, Crown Heights), Councilman Antonio Reynoso (D-Williamsburg, Bushwick).
“I think Monique Chandler-Waterman stands head and shoulders above the crowd. She possess the three C’s of public service-she’s confident, competent and she’s committed. Because of that I am supporting her for City Council and hope all the residents come out and support her,” said Parker.
“There are a lot of great candidates in this race. But I am proud to see that so many women have stepped up to the plate. It is showing that there has been a change in how we see political leadership. I support Monique because I know what it’s like to start a non-profit organization, to do the grants, to walk the streets, to be on these corners, to put yourself and your family in harm’s way in order to create a better future for the next generation,” said Cumbo
Chandler-Waterman is one of four women still in the race including community activist Xamayla Rose, Vice President of Thomas Jefferson Democratic Club Young Democrats Jovia Radix, Social Media Influencer Adina Esther Sash a.k.a Flatbush Girl.
The election is slated for Tuesday, May 14.
