Caribbean-American leaders across New York City maintained strong support in Tuesday’s General Election, with several incumbents easily securing re-election. The results reflect the continued influence of the city’s Caribbean immigrant community, which has long been a key part of New York’s political and cultural landscape.
In Brooklyn’s District 46, Haitian-born Democratic Council Member Mercedes Narcisse, an incumbent and registered nurse, captured 24,622 votes, or 67.9 percent, with Republican Athena Clarke receiving 10,012 votes, or 27.6 percent, and Guyanese-born Conservative candidate Dimple Willabus obtaining 1,643 votes, or 4.5 percent. Narcisse said she was “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.”
Brooklyn’s District 45 saw incumbent Farah Louis, daughter of Haitian and Bahamian immigrants, re-elected with 31,611 votes, or 84.7 percent. Republican Joshua received 4,248 votes, or 11.4 percent, and Hatem El-Gamasy, running as an “Other” candidate, received 1,464 votes, or 3.9 percent.
In District 35, Democratic incumbent Crystal Hudson, whose grandmother hailed from Jamaica, secured 53,011 votes, or 93.0 percent. Conservative Benny Rosenberger received 3,056 votes, or 5.4 percent, and Hector Robertson, running as an “Other” candidate, received 933 votes, or 1.6 percent.
District 42’s incumbent Chris Banks, whose mother is from Trinidad and Tobago, won re-election with 22,277 votes, or 95.8 percent. Davon Phillips, the “Other” candidate, received 975 votes, or 4.2 percent. Meanwhile, Haitian-born Rita Joseph, representing Brooklyn’s 40th District, ran unopposed and retained her seat.
With 90 percent of ballots counted, New York City Democratic Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, son of Grenadian immigrants, garnered 1,362,196 votes, or 72.9 percent, while Republican Gonzalo Duran received 465,113 votes, or 24.9 percent, and Independent Martin Dolan obtained 42,314 votes, or 2.3 percent.
Historic Mayoral Win
New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, whose own immigrant experience has shaped his political vision, celebrated the city’s diverse population in his victory speech. “Yemeni bodega owners, Mexican abuelas, Senegalese taxi drivers, Uzbek nurses, Trinidadian line cooks and Ethiopian aunties,” he said.
Mamdani will be the first Muslim mayor, the first mayor of South Asian descent, the first foreign-born mayor in nearly 50 years, and the youngest mayor elected in over a century. He defeated former Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa to become the 111th mayor of New York City. “New York will remain a city of immigrants, a city built by immigrants, powered by immigrants. And as of tonight, led by an immigrant,” Mamdani declared.
The elections underscore the enduring impact of Caribbean-American leaders across New York City, even as the city prepares to be led by a historic mayor who celebrates its immigrant roots.
