City Councilmember Farah Louis last night was convincingly elected as the Democratic Party nominee in a contentious final matchup against Monique Chandler-Waterman for the 45th Council District which includes East Flatbush, Flatbush, Flatlands, Marine Park, and Midwood.
According to the unofficial election results, Louis won re-election with 4,548 votes or 50.30% of votes to Chandler-Waterman’s 3,887 or 42.99% of votes.
Louis won the special election back in May to fill the seat left vacant by now Public Advocate Jumaane Williams. Louis will now serve, with this back-to-back-win, the remainder of the term for the 45th Council District until 2021.
“This is what unification looks like – different shades, color, sizes, religions, races, everything. I just want to thank you for being here and participating in this celebration,” said Louis.
The primary race, like the previous special election, was a brutal battle among the communities in the 45th Council District, with many divisions being drawn amongst Caribbean, Haitian and Jewish lines.
Pundits thinking was that Louis won last month’s election due to a Haitian-Jewish voting bloc that Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte (D-Flatbush, Ditmas Park) orchestrated.
In the primary, Chandler-Waterman and her campaign utilized language, campaign literature, videos and social media to spread what many inside and outside the Jewish community felt was anti-Semitic in a district that is about 20 percent Jewish.
But in her victory speech, Louis implored everyone to get on the same page.
“One of the greatest strengths of our district is diversity. And when everyone has a seat at the table, there is nothing we can not accomplish. This was a grassroots campaign, powered by hardworking everyday Brooklynites and unified New Yorkers. We got this far because you gave it your all with a little Brooklyn flare. We have to work together to make sure Brooklyn is our home and stays that way for everyone,” said Louis.
The race was also something of a proxy battle between Bichotte who strongly backed Louis, while Williams strongly backed Chandler-Waterman. But in the end, Bichotte guided Louis to victory.
“I am just ready to go to work. I want to thank everyone for supporting us. Now we have our council member,” said Bichotte.
Williams went on to concede the loss, posting a congratulatory message to Louis on social media.
Council Member Farah Louis won a second very tough race. The 45th District has clearly spoken again.
As the community begins to unify and heal after this election, lets all work to help her serve the community we all love.
Congratulations, Council Member
— Your Constituent
— Jumaane Williams (@JumaaneWilliams) June 26, 2019
Louis also won with strong support from among others, Kings County Democratic Party boss Frank Seddio and City Council Member Justin Brannan (D-Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Bath Beach, Bensonhurst).
“Tonight’s results were fabulous. Not only did Farah win but all the County supported candidates won tonight by very big margins. It was a real trifecta and it meant a lot to us. I think it shows our strength and unity we have in Brooklyn, ” said Seddio.
City Council members Chaim Deutsch (D-Brighton Beach, Manhattan Beach, Marine Park, Midwood, Sheepshead Bay) and Kalman Yeger (D-Bensonhurst, Borough Park, Gravesend, Kensington, Midwood) also once again played strong roles in helping to turn out the sizable Orthodox Jewish vote in the district for Louis.
“Today is a beautiful celebration. Farah has the neighboring district that I represent. She has done so much in the 21 days since being sworn into the City Council. She has done so much to respond to complaints from constituents that matter and that is what’s important. It’s not about politics, it’s not about winning big, but it’s about getting the job done and being elected by the people of this district,” said Deutsch.
