NEW YORK, CMC – Caribbean Democratic legislators in New York easily won re-election in Tuesday’s general elections, riding on a huge voter turnout as Democratic Socialist, Zohran Mamdani, swept into the Office of the Mayor of the City of New York.
With 90 per cent of the ballots counted, New York City Democratic Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, the son of Grenadian immigrants, received 1,362,196 votes, or 72.9 per cent; Republican Gonzalo Duran received 465,113 votes, or 24.9 per cent; and Independent Martin Dolan obtained 42,314 votes, or 2.3 per cent.
“I’m grateful to the over two million New Yorkers who made their voices heard at the polls today, setting a new direction for our city,” Williams told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC), adding, “I am ready and eager to be a steward of it.
“Even as we face constant challenges and threats, many from our own federal government, I find hope and even optimism in the people of our city and the leadership they have chosen today.
“This is an opportunity to admit that many of the systems of government and styles of politics in our city have failed the people we are meant to serve. It is a moment to confront the way ‘things honestly are done’ and create something new – not sheer idealism, but progress rooted in and driven by our ideals.
“New Yorkers voted their values today, and we must govern guided by those values. As Public Advocate, my role and responsibility are to hold the powerful to account, to serve as the voice of people navigating our city, and to stand with New Yorkers in need. It is a responsibility I do not take lightly in a moment when too many feel unheard or are being silenced.”
Williams said he was “honoured and humbled that so many New Yorkers have continued to place their trust in me to fill that role in this moment of change.
In District 46 in Brooklyn, with 88 per cent of the ballots counted, Haitian-born, New York City Democratic Council Member, and incumbent, received 24,622 votes, or 67.9 per cent; Republican Athena Clarke received 10,012 votes, or 27.6 per cent; and Guyanese-born Dimple Willabus, running as a Conservative, received 1,643 votes, or 4.5 per cent.
Narcisse, a registered nurse by training, said she was also “deeply humbled and grateful to the people of the 46th District for once again placing their trust in me to serve as their council member.
“This victory is not mine alone; it belongs to every resident, volunteer, and supporter who stood with me, who believed in our message, and who knows that hard work and compassion still matter in public service,” she told CMC.
Narcisse acknowledged that it was “not an easy campaign,” stating that there were “challenges, there was politics as usual, and there was negativity.
“But we never lost focus. We stayed true to our values and kept delivering our message of progress, work, and community. As a nurse, I’ve spent my life caring for others, and that same spirit guides how I serve,” Narcisse added.
“I’m honored to have another four years to continue this work, to keep fighting for fairness, equity, and opportunity for all. Together, we’ve proven that, when you stay grounded in community, work hard, and are committed to results, the people will always stand with you.”
In District 45 in Brooklyn, with 88 per cent of the ballots counted, New York City Democratic Council Member and incumbent Farah Louis, the daughter of Haitian and Bahamian immigrants, garnered 31,611 votes, or 84.7 per cent; Republican Joshua received 4,248 votes, or 11.4 per cent; and Hatem El-Gamasy, running as the “Other” candidate, received 1,464 votes, or 3.9 per cent.
Louis told CMC that she was “deeply grateful to the residents of the 45th Council District for entrusting me with another term to continue our fight for affordability, public safety, and quality of life.
“I look forward to working tirelessly on their behalf over the next four years. It has been the honour of my life to serve the people of Council District 45.
“As I seek my final term, I am more energized than ever to continue delivering real results for our neighbors. The work we’ve accomplished together is just the beginning, and I will not stop until we’ve built a foundation for lasting change in our District,” Louis said.
“Throughout my tenure, I have been a tireless champion for the most vulnerable members of our community and New York City, while fighting relentlessly to improve the quality of life for all District 45 residents.”
With 88 per cent of the ballots counted in District 35 in Brooklyn, Democratic New York City Council Member incumbent Crystal Hudson, whose grandmother hailed from Jamaica, received 53,011 votes, or 93.0 per cent; Conservative Benny Rosenberger received 3,056 votes, or 5.4 per cent; and Hector Robertson, running as “Other” candidate, received 933 votes, or 1.6 per cent.
In District 42, also in Brooklyn, incumbent New York City Democratic Council Member Chris Banks, whose mother is from Trinidad and Tobago, received 22,277 votes, or 95.8 per cent; and Davon Phillips, running as “Other”, received 975 votes, or 4.2 per cent.
Rita Joseph, the Haitian-born representative for the 40th District in Brooklyn, said she had no challenger in the general election.
She, however, thanked voters again for trusting her to be their representative at City Hall.
“It is an honour and a responsibility that I do not take lightly and one that I will continue to work tirelessly to fulfill so that we can have a district where everyone thrives,” Joseph told CMC.
“Alongside the new administration and Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani, I know we have a lot more work to do to make our district, our borough, and our city more livable for everyone,” added Joseph.
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