On Tuesday, Republicans are aiming to secure a Senate seat in the special election for Brooklyn’s Southern District, a region that President Trump won with 77% of the vote last year.
The candidates are GOP hopeful Nachman Caller and Democrat Sam Sutton, both vying for the position left vacant after state Senator Simcha Felder won a special election for a city council seat.
The 22nd district spans several neighborhoods with significant Jewish populations, such as Midwood, Flatbush, Rosera Park, Madison, Marine Park, Jellyssen Beach, Gravesend, and Sheepshead Bay.
While Democrats have a noticeable advantage in numbers, many voters in the area lean moderate to conservative and might cross party lines.
Felder, who has previously collaborated with Republicans, is seen as a conservative Democrat but is not well recognized among constituents.
Sutton brings strong ties to the Sephardic community, serving as a co-leader of the Sephardi Community Federation.
Caller, the Republican district leader, is a real estate lawyer who has previously run for the state legislature.
Sutton enjoys support from established Democrats, including Bronx MP Richie Torres, who has a record of backing Israel and is running for governor.
Caller, on the other hand, has backing from House Republican Speaker Elise Stefanik and Mike, an attorney whose district comprises a large Orthodox Jewish population.
O’Brien “OB” Murray, a former strategist for Felder, is now working for Caller.
Both campaigns acknowledge that this race is highly competitive and that voter turnout could be the deciding factor.
Murray pointed out that a win for Caller would leave Democrats with only two votes, potentially limiting their majority in the Senate.
“This is a chance for all voters in the district to send a message against Albany’s radical liberal agenda,” Murray remarked.
