Better late than never.
A trio of Coney Island leaders on Tuesday endorsed the Democratic nominee for the vacant 46th Assembly seat — which includes Coney Island and Sea Gate as well as parts of Bath Beach, Bay Ridge, and Dyker Heights — just two weeks before the Nov. 6 general election against her Republican opponent.
Outsider candidate Mathylde Frontus bested Coney Island Councilman Mark Treyger’s former chief of staff Ethan Lustig-Elgrably by just 51 votes in the primary, despite his and support from the county Democratic committee a slew of elected officials, including Treyger, Borough President Adams, Council Speaker Corey Johnson (D–Manhattan), and Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D–Coney Island).
Frontus won the primary in part by calling out the party machine during the primary for hand-picking a candidate which critics charged had just moved into the district and had less of a record of service in the community than she did — rankling the borough’s Democratic establishment in the process.
It has taken nearly a month after it was made official that Frontus would face Republican Steve Saperstein on Nov. 6 before Treyger, along with former rival Lustig-Elgrably, and Southern Brooklyn District Leader Ari Kagan finally threw their support behind her, citing her devotion to the neighborhood.
“Dr. Mathylde Frontus is a dedicated educator, social worker, and community leader that has made a tremendously positive impact in the lives of so many people in southern Brooklyn,” said Treyger. “Her unwavering commitment to service and solid experience as a proven problem-solver uniquely qualifies her for public office.”
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A Brooklyn pol who in September narrowly lost his bid for Gov. Cuomo’s second-in-command officially threw his hat into the ring to become New York City’s next Public Advocate.
Councilman Jumaane Williams (D–Flatbush), who also lost to Council Speaker Corey Johnson earlier this year, said his three terms in the Council — and as many arrests for protests against the detention of a prominent immigrants’ rights activist and the nomination of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, among other causes — make him an activist who can be trusted to have New Yorker’s backs.
“I have always felt that my job as an activist elected official has been to make sure the voices of all New Yorkers are lifted up, and to create the kinds of changes that have a tangible positive impact on their lives,” said Williams. “New York City needs to live up to its promise as a progressive beacon, and government needs not just to legislate but to listen. As Public Advocate, I will fight make this city affordable, equitable, and just for the many, not the few.”
The pol filed the paperwork on Tuesday to run for the city-wide office now that the current Public Advocate — and former Fort Greene councilwoman — Tish James is all but certain to become New York’s next Attorney General in January.
Mayor DeBlasio will call for a special election for the seat some time after the New Year, according to Williams.
Williams, who ultimately lost to incumbent Lieutenant Gov. Kathy Hochul but still got about 6,000 more votes than her in the five boroughs, could also face Red Hook Councilman Carlos Menchaca, Bedford-Stuyvesant Councilman Robert Cornegy, Williamsburg Councilman Antonio Reynoso, Bushwick Councilman Rafael Espinal, and Borough President Adams, who are all rumored to be running to replace James as well.
