Key facts
- A state Senate race in Central Brooklyn is highlighting the ideological divide within the Democratic Party between moderates and the DSA.
- Incumbent State Sen. Jabari Brisport, a DSA member, is challenged by Marlon Rice, who focuses on preserving the neighborhood's Black character.
- The district has experienced significant demographic shifts, including a decrease in its Black population.
- House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, whose district includes the area, has previously opposed DSA candidates.
- Rice's campaign themes echo some of Jeffries' messaging on cultural identity.
- DSA representatives believe their power stems from membership and will endure regardless of election results.
A closely watched state Senate primary race in Central Brooklyn is highlighting the deepening ideological divide within the Democratic Party, particularly between moderate Democrats and the growing influence of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA).
The contest features incumbent State Sen. Jabari Brisport, a DSA member, against Marlon Rice, a longtime community organizer campaigning on a platform of preserving the traditional Black character of the neighborhood.
This race is unfolding in areas that have seen significant demographic shifts over the past two decades, with a notable decrease in the Black population and a rise in median household income. These changes have fueled a debate about representation and political power, with Rice's campaign echoing themes often articulated by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, whose congressional district encompasses these neighborhoods.
Jeffries has previously expressed skepticism towards the DSA, once referring to them as 'Team Gentrification.' His approach to these intra-party battles has been characterized by defending incumbents against DSA-backed challengers, though his efforts to unseat DSA members have been less consistent, with mixed results.
Historically, Central Brooklyn has been a center of Black political and cultural life, with figures like Shirley Chisholm launching their careers there. The current debate centers on how elected officials should balance the concerns of long-term Black residents with those of newer, often wealthier, residents.
Rice's campaign focuses on issues like deed theft and affordability, framing them through the lens of preserving the district's cultural identity. Brisport, conversely, emphasizes class-based issues and union power. This contrast reflects a broader tension within the Democratic Party regarding how to address inequality, with some, like Jeffries, leaning into racial identity politics, while others, like some DSA figures, are criticized for focusing primarily on economic injustice.
Frank Carone, an attorney deeply involved in the Brooklyn Democratic Party, acknowledged the DSA's canvassing prowess but criticized the use of the term 'machine' against the group as 'bullshit' and 'cowardly.' Valdez, a DSA representative, asserted that the organization's power comes from its membership, not a single figurehead, and that this influence will persist regardless of election outcomes. A PIX11 survey showed Valdez and Reynoso in a close race, with Won behind.