The last of the Republican stronghold in Brooklyn was defeated last night, as a longtime State Senator lost his re-election bid to a young Democrat.
Andrew Gounardes (D) bested incumbent Marty Golden (R) to become the next Senator for New York’s 22nd District covering Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Bensonhurst, Marine Park, Gerritsen Beach, Gravesend and parts of Sheepshead Bay, Borough Park and Midwood.
Gounardes beat Golden with a slim margin of 50.9 percent or 31,168 of the votes to 49.1 percent or 30,039 votes, according to unofficial results from NY1, with all precincts reporting.
“Nearly a year ago—and not too far from where we are today—I announced my candidacy to be the next senator for New York’s 22nd District. Tonight, the voters of Southern Brooklyn have said that they want new leadership in Albany that delivers real results for working families, including, quality, affordable health care, fully funded public schools, speed cameras in every school zone, reproductive choice for all women, lower housing costs, and accessible and reliable public transit,” said Gounardes.
The win marked an end to Golden’s decades long power in Southern Brooklyn and the start of a new Democratic-led era in the State Senate. After last night’s election, Democrats now hold control of the Senate for the first time since 2010 with 40 seats to 23 GOP seats.
The election win was Gounardes’ second run for state senator. The attorney ran against the incumbent Golden who has held the seat since 2002. Gounardes beat noted journalist Ross Barkan in the Democratic primary in September before clinching his victory on Election Day.
“I want to thank Marty Golden for his years of public service, not only as an elected official but also for his year as a police officer. Despite our differences we both agree that public service is truly a privilege. Tomorrow begins a new chapter. I look forward to giving the constituents of District 22 a real voice in Albany,” added Gounardes.
Other South Brooklyn electeds rallied around the young candidate including City Councilman Justin Brannan (D-Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Bath Beach, Bensonhurst) and Assemblyman Peter Abbate (D-Borough Park, Bath Beach, Dyker Heights, Bensonhurst).
“You know the saying, there’s a new boss in town and that boss isn’t me, Max or Andrew, it’s you guys because you guys spoke loud and clear today. You elected Andrew Gounardes to the State Senate today. You took the future by the ear and dragged it and said “the time is now”,” said Brannan.
Gounardes was born and raised in Bay Ridge and was a former aide to former City Councilmember Vincent Gentile. Currently, he serves as Counsel to Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams and as a trustee of the New York City Employees’ Retirement System, one of the largest municipal pension funds in the country.
Before serving at Borough Hall, Gounardes worked for Citizens Committee for New York City, a non-profit that provides neighborhood improvement grants to community groups across the five boroughs. He also served on Community Board 10 and is a longtime member of the Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church in Bay Ridge.
“I remember talking to him [Gounardes] at the most difficult time of the race when there was a level of uncertainty and he said ‘Eric should we just move on with this?’ and I said, ‘Andrew it’s your time, it’s your time.’ Let me tell you this is a good human being,” said Adams
