Mayor Eric Adams Monday endorsed challenger Rev. Conrad Tillard in his bid to unseat Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) incumbent Senator Jabari Brisport in Brooklyn’s 25th State Senate District.
“I am proud to endorse Rev. Conrad Tillard’s candidacy for the 25th Senate District,” said Mayor Adams. “Rev. Conrad Tillard has spent over 30 years fighting for the rights of New Yorkers. We have stood side by side to advocate for those who were voiceless. Conrad has served this community as a minister, activist, and educator. As your next senator, Conrad will work hard to pass laws that ensure that all New Yorkers are safe, and create affordable housing, and good quality schools. Vote for Rev. Conrad Tillard on August 23rd.”
Tillard said he was elated to receive the mayor’s endorsement and he has a long history of working with him through his own activism.
“Over the last 30 years, we have marched together for justice, rallied with workers for better wages, and worked to uplift the voices of New Yorkers who are too often forgotten,” said Tillard. I have always admired his commitment to communities like Bed Stuy, Brownsville, Fort Greene, and the other neighborhoods in the district, and I look forward to partnering with him both here in Brooklyn and up in Albany to help bring peace, prosperity, and stability to the residents of the 25th District and the neighborhoods they call home.”
Tillard has also received the endorsement of Bed-Stuy’s Vanguard Independent Democratic Association (VIDA) and hip hop legend Chuck D. last week. He also has the support of Senator Keven Parker (D-Brooklyn) and a number of Central Brooklyn’s Black Churches and clergy.
Brisport won the seat two years ago when longtime Senator Velmanette Montgomery retired, but at the time it included the highly progressive neighborhoods of Sunset Park, Boerum Hill and Red Hook. The newly reconfigured district lops off those former neighborhoods and now includes Bedford-Stuyvesant, Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Prospect Heights, Ocean Hill and Brownsville.
Brisport has the support of many of the area’s far left lawmakers including U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, City Council Members Chi Ossé and Sandy Nurse, DSA State Senator Julia Salazar, DSA Assemblymember Phara Souffrant Forrest and Assemblymember Emily Gallagher.
Brisport also has the support of The Black Institute Founder and President Bertha Lewis.
Early voting takes place all this week and on Sunday, Aug. 21. Find your early voting location online.
Primary Day is from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Aug. 23. Remember that election day voting sites are different from early voting sites, and that your polling place may have changed since you last voted — find your Primary Day polling site online.
