On Saturday, State Sen. Stephen Chan was sworn in to represent southern Brooklyn’s 17th Senate District, becoming the first Asian-American Republican to hold the state Senate seat.
At the New Utrecht High School auditorium in Bensonhurst, Chan was joined by family, friends, and elected officials to celebrate his historic win. Republican Party members showed their support, including U.S. Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, Gerard Kassar, chair of the New York State Conservative Party, Brooklyn Republican Party Chair Richard Barsamian and Brooklyn Conservative Party Chair Fran Vella-Marrone.