The times definitely are a-changing in favor of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) and new progressives.
That after progressive candidate Emily Gallagher defeated 47-year incumbent Assemblyman Joe Lentol (D-Greenpoint Williamsburg) after all the mail-in ballots were counted.
“I can’t believe I am writing this but it’s official: we won. This was a collective and truly grassroots campaign, powered by a deep love for North Brooklyn and a desire to make it better. Thank you so much for believing in me, against all the odds,” Tweeted Gallagher.
Gallagher also exhibited a graciousness in her win with several very complimentary tweets towards Lentol including this one:
Joe is beloved by many and I’m excited to see all the good work he will do as a community member.
I have deep respect for him and those who love him, and I look forward to being his successor.
— Emily Gallagher for Assembly (@em4assembly) July 22, 2020
Lentol issued the following congratulatory statement to his successor:
The hard-fought primary election comeback for Gallagher comes as she trailed Lentol by 1,763 votes after the primary, but a solid majority of the 9,689 mail ballots went her way, giving her the victory. According, to the latest tally received, Gallagher received 4,089 mail-in votes to Lentol’s 1,680 mail-in votes for a 2,409 mail-in vote lead, more than erasing Lentol’s election day lead with about 1,000 mail-in votes yet to be counted.
Also, snatching victory from the jaws of defeat in the 50th Assembly District was progressive female Democratic District Leader candidate Kristina S. Kaplatarski, who while being behind after the primary vote beat incumbent District Leader Linda Minucci after the mail-in votes were tallied.
Meanwhile, DSA candidate Phara Souffrant Forrest declared victory today over veteran incumbent Assemblyman Walter Mosley (D-Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Prospe3ct Heights, Crown Heights) in the 57th Assembly District Primary race.
Almost a month after election day, when Souffrant Forrest trailed Mosley by 588 votes, the absentee ballot count is nearly concluded and her campaign’s internal tally shows she is ahead by over 2,500 votes.
“It was a long wait, but today we can finally say that we did it,” said Souffrant Forrest. “Together, we made history by electing a socialist nurse in the middle of the worst pandemic in 100 years. With a powerful grassroots coalition, the help of over 1,000 volunteers, and the support of over 13,500 voters in Assembly District 57, we rose to meet this important moment,” said Souffrant Forrest.
“I am so honored and so proud to have the chance to represent my community. Our win is a victory for every person who is struggling in this state. It is a win for nurses without protective equipment, for Black and Brown people targeted by police violence and chronic disinvestment, for immigrants deprived of their democratic rights, for tenants who can’t make rent, and for the thousands of unemployed people struggling to survive. Our win is a rejection of politics as usual. This win shows that our time is now. Thank you to everyone who supported our campaign. We are just starting our fight to build a New York that works for the many, not the few,” she added.
Mosley congratulated Souffrant Forrest in a late-afternoon statement.
While both Gallagher and Souffrant Forrest are now the Democratic Party nominees they will have a Nov. 3, general election, but in a one-party Democratic borough they should face little or no opposition.
