Yet another special election wrapped this Tuesday, May 24, with a new state Assemblymember-elect in the 58th District. The district covers East Flatbush and Canarsie in Brooklyn.
Early voting capped with 285 voters as of the close of polls just before Tuesday. On Election night, Democratic nominee and Working Families Party candidate Monique Chandler-Waterman won by about 79% of the votes, according to unofficial election night results posted by the Board of Elections. The seat replaces former Assemblymember Nick Perry, who is now the U.S. ambassador to Jamaica.
Chandler-Waterman beat out the independent candidate running on the Education Is Key line, Hercules E. Reid, and Republican, Conservative candidate Monique Allen-Davy.
“I am humbled by the fact that the community has placed its trust in me,” said Chandler-Waterman. “As the new Assembly woman representing the 58th District I pledge to work with the community and do everything in my power to address the needs of our residents. I spent my life in service to this community and I will work even harder to ensure affordable housing, equitable education and health care, and stop the violence plaguing our streets.”
Chandler-Waterman was born and raised in East Flatbush. She was Perry’s special assistant, worked in the City’s Test and Trace Corp, and runs her non profit East Flatbush Village Inc. with her husband. Waterman founded the non profit in 2008 and it has become a major youth and education organization that focuses on combating gun violence in Brooklyn.
Perry and residents had gathered in East Flatbush to support Chandler-Waterman. “She has given more than herself,” said Perry in a previous speech about Chandler-Waterman before his departure for Jamaica posted via twitter. “She is indeed, I can say it from any mountaintop, and I can say it in as loud a voice as I can shout, and I can write it, and I can write it. I can print it. I can talk to anybody and convince you because I have deeds that she has done to show that she is deserving.”
She and supporters closed out the night in celebration at Tropical Breeze Ballroom, located at 1367 Utica Avenue. Her endorsers included Councilmember Mercedes Narcisse, Councilmember Darlene Mealy, U.S. Rep. Yvette Clarke, Sen. Roxanne Persaud, Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, and Public Advocate Jumaane Williams.
Chandler-Waterman’s campaign manager said the new assemblymember is already making the trip to Albany this Wednesday morning.
The State Assembly primaries held on June 28 is another election cycle that will determine if Chandler-Waterman stays in office.
Ariama C. Long is a Report for America corps member and writes about culture and politics in New York City for The Amsterdam News. Your donation to match our RFA grant helps keep her writing stories like this one; please consider making a tax-deductible gift of any amount today by visiting: https://tinyurl.com/fcszwj8w