Hamilton cruises to victory in State Senate primary

Jesse Hamilton, the candidate backed by Borough President Eric Adams – who once held the seat – won an easy victory in the 20^th Senatorial District Democratic primary on Tuesday, September 9, defeating two opponents.

Hamilton – who had served as Adams’ legal counsel when he was state senator, and who has been running the state senate office since January, when Adams became borough president — scored 65 percent of the vote (9,090 votes), according to unofficial results from the New York City Board of Elections, cruising past Rubain Dorancy, who got 30 percent of the vote (4,189 votes) and distant third-place finisher Guillermo Philpotts, who got 728 votes (five percent).

Surrounded by cheering supporters at the Flatbush Avenue restaurant Woodland, Hamilton declared victory close to midnight, crediting his campaign team, and especially Adams and his Senior Adviser Ingrid Lewis-Martin, for their non-stop efforts on his behalf, efforts that were revved up, Adams said, once it became clear that Hamilton’s opponents were pulling out the stops.

In the end, Hamilton carried every Assembly District within the Senate District, despite the high-profile support that Dorancy had amassed, including New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio.

“There’s no other person more suitable to be the senator in the 20^th Senate District,” Adams declared, clearly savoring the victory.

“This is the night we beat the progressive delegation and the mayor and we did it on the ground,” proclaimed Hamilton, contending, “It was hard work, but it was a labor of love. We are the progressives right here.

“I want to be the senator for the unions. I want to be the senator for raising the minimum wage. I want to be the senator for affordable housing. I want to be the senator for the people,” he went on.

District residents made the savvy choice, added Assemblymember Karim Camara. “The people showed in this race that they knew what was going on,” he said. “They decided to elect a senator who had been on the ground not only for campaigns, but was there when the people needed him.”

“Jesse has always been the soul of decency,” Councilmember Steve Levin added. “I know he’s going to be an amazing senator.”

The general election will be held on November 4.