Democrat Sam Sutton has emerged victorious in a closely watched special election for a seat in the New York state Senate, successfully holding off a Republican push to capture the traditionally right-leaning district, according to projections by Decision Desk HQ.
Sutton, a longtime nonprofit leader and businessman, defeated Republican challenger Nachman Caller, a lawyer who previously made an unsuccessful bid for the state Assembly ten years ago.
With this win, Democrats retain control of the seat vacated by Simcha Felder, who stepped down last month to assume a position on the New York City Council.
The race had been viewed as potentially competitive given Felder’s unique political history. Though elected as a Democrat, Felder frequently sided with the Republican conference and had often run unopposed with endorsements from both parties.
New York’s 22nd State Senate District, located in Brooklyn, went strongly for President Trump in the last presidential election, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the outcome.
The district also encompasses a sizable Orthodox Jewish population. Sutton, who co-heads the Sephardic Community Federation, maintains strong relationships within the Sephardic community, a key constituency in the area.
Among Sutton’s top campaign pledges were enhancing public safety through “community-based approaches,” boosting education budgets, and advancing environmental policies focused on clean energy.
{Matzav.com}