Democrats Flip Southern Brooklyn Seats in Local Election Sweep
Democrats won four state legislative races in southern Brooklyn on November 3, reclaiming seats Republicans had gained in recent years. In Assembly District 46, Chris McCreight defeated incumbent Alec Brook-Krasny, taking about 55% of the vote to Brook-Krasny’s 45%, based on unofficial results with nearly 96% of scanners reported at 10 p.m.
In the adjacent 45th Assembly District, Joey Cohen-Saban unseated Republican officeholder Michael Novakhov. Joyce Xiaoqiong Xie was set to win Assembly District 49, while Larry He said he had prevailed against Republican state Sen. Steve Chan in the overlapping 17th Senate District. The results were unofficial, and Xie’s and He’s races had not been called by a New York Times tracker as of midnight.
McCreight had narrowly lost to Brook-Krasny in 2024. His campaign emphasized affordability, transit and infrastructure, and protections for immigrant and LGBTQ+ communities. He said voters were more skeptical of Brook-Krasny’s earlier promises to lower grocery, rent and property-tax costs. McCreight also criticized the Brooklyn Democratic Party for giving limited attention to southern Brooklyn, saying he had built his own coalition.
The wins came amid a continuing dispute over leadership of the Brooklyn Democratic Party. Outgoing chair Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn celebrated the results, while Julio Peña III, aligned with a rival reform group, said the victories reflected a desire for change. The four races also carry wider significance for Democrats’ effort to secure a supermajority in the state Senate.
Democrats Reclaim Southern Brooklyn Seats After Years of GOP Gains
Southern Brooklyn voters dealt Republicans a sharp setback on November 3, returning four state legislative seats to Democrats in a region the party had lost ground in over recent years. Chris McCreight defeated Republican incumbent Alec Brook-Krasny in Assembly District 46, winning about 55% to Brook-Krasny’s 45% in unofficial results.
Democrats also won neighboring Assembly District 45, where Joey Cohen-Saban beat Republican incumbent Michael Novakhov. Joyce Xiaoqiong Xie was set to win Assembly District 49, and Larry He said he had prevailed against Republican state Sen. Steve Chan in the 17th Senate District. The outcome could help Democrats in their pursuit of a state Senate supermajority.
McCreight campaigned on affordability, better transit and infrastructure, and defending immigrant and LGBTQ+ communities. He argued that constituents had grown skeptical of Brook-Krasny’s past promises to reduce grocery, rent and property-tax costs. The results show Democrats making gains in a part of New York City where Republicans had benefited from rightward shifts among some large immigrant and Orthodox Jewish communities.
The victories came despite a bitter fight over leadership of the Brooklyn Democratic Party, whose factions are battling in court. Outgoing chair Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn celebrated the sweep, while rival coalition member Julio Peña III said voters wanted to turn the page. McCreight had previously faulted the party for neglecting southern Brooklyn and said he built his own coalition. The results offer Democrats a new foothold as they pursue greater influence in Albany.
GOP Loses Southern Brooklyn Seats as Democrats Regain Ground
Republicans suffered a major local setback in southern Brooklyn on November 3, as Democrats captured four state legislative seats in a region where the GOP had made gains in recent years. Chris McCreight defeated incumbent Alec Brook-Krasny in Assembly District 46, taking about 55% of the vote to Brook-Krasny’s 45% in unofficial results.
In Assembly District 45, Joey Cohen-Saban also ousted Republican officeholder Michael Novakhov. Joyce Xiaoqiong Xie was set to win Assembly District 49, and Larry He said he had prevailed against Republican state Sen. Steve Chan in the overlapping 17th District. The results restore Democratic ground in neighborhoods where Republicans had gained support among some large immigrant and Orthodox Jewish communities.
McCreight’s campaign focused on affordability, transit and infrastructure, and protections for immigrant and LGBTQ+ communities. He said voters were more skeptical of Brook-Krasny’s earlier pledges to lower grocery, rent and property-tax costs. McCreight had narrowly lost to him in 2024, making the reversal a significant Democratic comeback in the district.
The sweep unfolded during a court fight over who will lead the Brooklyn Democratic Party. Outgoing chair Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn celebrated the results, while rival coalition member Julio Peña III said voters wanted to change course. Democrats now have added momentum in their bid for a state Senate supermajority, even as the party’s internal leadership dispute continues.
Reported by amNY, City & State New York.
