In a special election held on the evening of May 20th in the 22nd district of South Brooklyn, New York, Democratic candidate Sam Sutton claimed victory with an overwhelming 66.85% of the vote, defeating Republican opponent Nachman Caller. Sutton successfully filled the vacancy left by the resignation of the former Democratic Senator Simcha Felder, ensuring that the seat remains in Democratic hands.
This election was viewed as a crucial opportunity for the Republican party to challenge the conservative-leaning district. The 22nd district encompasses areas with a predominantly Jewish population such as Borough Park, Ocean Parkway, Gravesend, Gerritsen Beach, and Sheepshead Bay. Previous election data indicated a Republican lean in the district, with a ratio of 2:1 in favor of Republican and Democratic votes in the 2022 and 2024 state Senate elections in which Felder ran with endorsements from both parties.
Despite being seen as favorable to the Republican party, Sutton managed to overcome the odds and secure a victory over Caller by almost a 2:1 margin. Not only did he maintain the Democratic seat, but he also became the first Sephardic Jewish member of the New York State Senate.
Although the Republican candidate Caller ultimately lost, the voting patterns in certain districts provided significant insights. In districts AD41 (Sheepshead Bay), AD45, and AD48 (all part of Bensonhurst) where voter turnout exceeded a thousand, Sutton won a close race in AD41 with 1,389 votes against Caller’s 1,226 votes (including 1,121 Republican votes and 105 Conservative votes). AD41 is the location of the Sheephead Bay Yeshiva, where a significant number of Chinese voters turned out to support Caller, highlighting the impact of Chinese voters in this special election.
Sutton, a business owner and long-time leader of non-profit organizations deeply involved in the community, emphasized key policy focuses such as promoting community-based public safety strategies, advocating for increased education funding, and developing clean energy initiatives. In his post-election statement, he expressed his gratitude for the trust placed in him by the 22nd district voters in representing their voices.
“This victory represents a unified call for diversity in our district, urging for proactive change,” Sutton said. “From combating anti-Semitism, expanding economic development, to enhancing public safety, I look forward to working with my Senate colleagues to advocate for more resources and rights for South Brooklyn and all of New York.”
Brooklyn Democratic Party Chair and State Assembly Member Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn praised Sutton as a “community stalwart” and a “consensus-builder, defender of fairness, and passionate leader.”
City Council Member Margaret Chin also issued a statement noting the shift from a high 77% Trump support in the district to nearly 70% of the vote going to the Democratic candidate. She remarked that the community values a candidate’s genuine dedication to serving the community over political labels.
To conclude, she shared the words of an elderly Jewish community member from that evening: “We should not just look at political parties; we need to see if a person has common sense, and if they genuinely want to serve the community. That’s the only standard.” Chin expressed that this sentiment deeply inspired her: “Regardless of changing winds, I will continue to serve the community!”