Election Day wrapped up Tuesday evening as Brooklynites, alongside millions of fellow New Yorkers, cast their ballots in the closely watched presidential race between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. Voters also decided on critical down-ballot races that could shift the political landscape both locally and nationally.
The city experienced record-breaking early voting from Oct. 26 to Nov. 3, with over 1 million ballots cast. On Election Day itself, the New York City Board of Elections reported 2,195,863 check-ins across New York City by 6 p.m., with Brooklyn leading the count at 685,610. During early voting, Brooklyn also set the pace with 345,840 check-ins, the highest of any borough.
The race for New York’s 28 electoral votes was called early in favor of Harris, continuing a Democratic streak dating back to Ronald Reagan’s 1984 victory. However, with high stakes in state Assembly and Senate races, particularly in southern Brooklyn districts that flipped red in the 2022 midterms, both major parties are paying close attention to tonight’s results.
Brooklyn voters also weighed in on races for Senate, House of Representatives, state Supreme and Civil Court judges, and six state and local ballot initiatives.
The pressure is also on for U.S. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, the Brooklyn congress member poised to become the first Black Speaker of the House if Democrats successfully flip the Republican-majority House of Representatives.
Before Nov. 5, Republicans held a narrow majority in the House, 220-212. But with several key seats in play — including a handful of hotly-contested races in New York — Democrats may be able to regain control.
As polls closed, candidates and their supporters gathered for watch parties across the borough, bracing for what could be a long night as votes are counted.
Results roll in
There were few surprises across the borough as the count got underway, with incumbents holding tight to their seats. However, two notably close Assembly races appeared poised to go down to the wire, while a relatively new State Senate district seemed set to flip shortly after being established.
In the 45th Assembly District, which covers Manhattan Beach, parts of Brighton Beach, Gravesend and Sheepshead Bay, Democrat Joey Cohen-Saban is looking to unseat incumbent Republican Assembly Member Michael Novakhov. As of midnight, with an estimated 99% of votes counted, Novakhov is leading with 50.24% of the vote to Cohen-Saban’s 49.32%. With just 270 votes currently standing between the two candidates, the race appears too close to call.
In the 46th Assembly District, which includes parts of Coney Island, Dyker Heights, and Fort Hamilton, Democrat Chris McCreight conceded to incumbent Republican Assembly Member Alec Brook-Krasny (who once represented the district as a Democrat) after a notably tight race. McCreight had garnered just over 47% of the vote with 95% of ballots counted as of 11:15 p.m., when he addressed supporters at a watch party in Bay Ridge.
“I’ve never seen a campaign that had so many people out there knocking doors, so many people out there making phone calls, being at train stations,” McCreight said. “This is all you guys, and you guys did so much.”
Meanwhile, incumbent Democratic State Sen. Iwen Chu appeared to concede to Republican opponent Steve Chan after a “hard-fought” race for State Senate District 17.
“The people made a decision, and of course, we tried, we fought, we hope we gained the trust,” Chu told the crowd at an election night watch party at Dyker Heights’ Park Asia restaurant. “I totally respect the result.”
Chan, who led with close to 55% of the vote as of 10:30 p.m., had reportedly declared victory at a watch party in Bay Ridge.
Chu was first elected in 2022, eking out a narrow victory over Republican Vito LaBella to represent Brooklyn’s first Asian-majority state Senate district, which was crafted by redistricting and encompasses parts of Bensonhurst, Bath Beach, Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Kensington and Sunset Park.
This story is developing. Check back for updates.
Additional reporting by Kirstyn Brendlen & Gabriele Holtermann
