NEW YORK, CMC – Several Caribbean legislators aligned to the Democratic Party were overwhelmingly re-elected or elected unopposed for New York City Council seats in Tuesday’s general elections, according to the preliminary results released here Wednesday.
The New York City’s Board of Elections said incumbent Caribbean candidates in Brooklyn – Farah N. Louis, Crystal Hudson, Rita Joseph, and Mercedes Narcisse – won their re-election unopposed or handsomely.
Chris Banks, whose mother is a Trinidadian immigrant, ran unopposed for the 42nd Council District in Brooklyn.
With 304 write-in ballots, or 3.44 percent, Louis, the daughter of Haitian and Bahamian immigrants, was re-elected to the 45th Council District, receiving 8,524 votes, or 96.56 percent, with 97.74 percent of scanners reporting.
In the 35th Council District in Brooklyn, Hudson, the daughter and granddaughter of Jamaican and Honduran immigrants was re-elected with 1,3448 votes, or 97.31 percent. There were 372 write-in ballots, or 2.69 percent, with 99.0 percent of the scanners reported.
In the 40th Council District, Haitian-born Joseph, who had taught public schools in Brooklyn for 22 years, easily defeated challenger Daniel B. Lally of the Medical Freedom Party, polling 10 857 votes, or 96.17 percent, to Lally’s 321 votes, or 2.84 percent.
Another Haitian-born incumbent, Narcisse, a registered nurse by training, was re-elected in the 46th Council District in a three-way race. Narcisse was challenged by Republican/Conservative Michael J. Moran and Adlerette Kebreau.
But with 69 write-in ballots or 0.62 percent, Narcisse garnered 7,268 votes or 65.18 percent; Moran received 3,599 votes or 32.28 percent; and Kebreau only mustered 214 votes or 1.92 percent.
Newcomer Banks, who had shockingly trounced longtime political figure Charles Barron in the July Primary Elections, received 6 488 or 98.59 percent, with 93 write-in ballots, or 1.41 percent.
Voters also cast ballots in favor of a proposal to amend the removal of small city school districts from particular constitutional debt limitation. They also voted in favor of another proposal to amend extending sewage project debt exclusion from the debt limit.
Louis, whose 45th Council District in Brooklyn includes the diverse neighborhoods of Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood, Flatlands, and Marine Park, said she has fought for the “affordability and livability of New Yorkers as a champion for fair and affordable housing.”
As the chairwoman of the City Council’s Subcommittee on Landmarks, Public Sitings, and Dispositions, Louis said she sought to “preserve our city’s cultural institutions, historic neighborhoods, and housing infrastructure, especially in Historic Brooklyn.”
She plans to continue to protect the “rich architecture symbolic of the beauty of New York City that represents our history and cultural diversity.”
Hudson, who was first elected in 2021, made history by being one of the first “out-gay” Black women ever elected in New York City.
A community organizer and public servant, Hudson said she is “committed to making government more accessible for more people and delivering a just recovery for all New Yorkers in the wake of a global pandemic, economic crisis, and racial reckoning.”
Hudson is also co-chair of the LGBTQ Caucus and a member of the Black, Latino, and Asian Caucus, Progressive Caucus, and Women’s Caucus.
After immigrating to the US from Haiti in her youth, Joseph said she has become “civically engaged and began her life of advocacy.”
Having served in the City Council since January 2022, Joseph not only chairs the Committee on Education but also sits on committees related to Civil and Human Rights, Immigration, Hospitals, and Public Safety, among others.
In addition, she is also a member of the Progressive Caucus, Women’s Caucus, and Black, Latino & Asian Caucus.
Narcisse said she was “profoundly humbled by the trust” that voters in the 46th Council District in Brooklyn “have placed in me to continue serving as their New York City Council representative.
“This victory is not mine alone; it belongs to all of us—it is the result of our collective hope, hard work, and belief in a shared vision for the future of our community,” she said in her victory speech Tuesday night.
“As we close one chapter and open another, I want to take a moment to acknowledge everyone who participated in this democratic process. Whether you cast your vote for me or not, I assure you that I am here to represent every resident of our district. My commitment to being a voice for all remains unwavering.
“The work ahead is clear. I will continue to advance our goals for improved public safety, equitable healthcare, and enhanced quality of life for each person in our community,” she added. “I will do my best to build upon our successes, address our challenges head-on, and work tirelessly to open new doors of opportunity for our children, families, and neighbors.”
In the days ahead, Narcisse said she and her staff will be “ready to listen to your concerns, ideas, and aspirations for our district in the coming term.
As a “lifelong resident” of District 42’s East New York, Brooklyn, Banks said he would combine his lived experience and relationships throughout the district in working collaboratively with all stakeholders “to address the issues facing our community.
“The challenges our community faces can be resolved through a collectively shared vision and the creation of partnerships with those committed to improving the future of the district we call home,” he said.
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