Democrats win New York state Senate race in Trump-friendly district
Democrat Sam Sutton has won a special election for a New York state Senate seat, repelling Republican efforts to flip the conservative-leaning district, according to Decision Desk HQ projections.
Sutton, a business owner who has led a nonprofit for years, defeated Republican Nachman Caller, an attorney who previously ran for state Assembly a decade ago. His win keeps the seat in Democratic hands after the resignation of former state Sen. Simcha Felder, who resigned from his position last month to take a seat on the New York City Council.
The result seemed uncertain, as Felder is a conservative Democrat who previously caucused with the state GOP conference for years. Felder repeatedly ran unopposed on the party line for the Democratic and Republican parties.
State Senate District 22 encompasses a part of Brooklyn that overwhelmingly voted for President Trump in the November presidential election.
The district includes a heavily Orthodox Jewish area, and Sutton has close ties to the Sephardic community as a co-leader of the Sephardic Community Federation.
Sutton comfortably won over Caller by roughly a 2-to-1 margin, as of the latest vote count Wednesday morning.
Sutton’s main policy priorities include promoting “community-based approaches” to public safety, increasing school funding and advancing clean energy initiatives.
Sutton said in a statement he is “humbled” that the voters in District 22 “confidently” chose him to represent them in Albany.
“This victory represents a unified voice calling for positive change across our diverse district — and I am eager to get to work ensuring our constituencies’ pressing issues are solved,” he said. “From tackling antisemitism to expanding economic development to improving public safety, I’m looking forward to working with my future colleagues in the Senate to advocate for the people of South Brooklyn, and all New Yorkers.”
Brooklyn Democratic Party Chair Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, who is also a state Assembly member, said in a statement that Sutton is a “fixture” in the community.
“Sam is a consensus-builder, a champion for equity, and an ardent leader who brings both dedication and competence to the table,” she said.
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Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin said in a statement that Sutton’s win proves that Republicans are “sinking” and that voters are tired of the party “enabling” Trump.
“While Trump and Republicans side with billionaires, voters are siding with strong Democratic leaders who will fight for everyday Americans, protect their rights, and uphold their freedoms,” he said. “That’s why Democrats are consistently overperforming in 2025 and will continue building momentum into 2026 and beyond.”
Updated at 2:33 p.m. EDT
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