Richardson, Hamilton Spar In Central Brooklyn Race

BROOKLYN, NEW YORK — An ousted central Brooklyn politician's bid to go back to Albany faces a take-no-prisoners fight from the incumbent he's challenging.

"Shamilton" — that's the name current Assembly Member Diana C. Richardson calls former state Sen. Jesse Hamilton, who is vying against her in the Democratic primary for the 43rd District seat.

Voters on Tuesday will decide whether Richardson's nickname applies or if Hamilton deserves another chance in the capital.

Richardson, in a 30-plus minute Facebook Live post, lays out the case that, among other things, Hamilton's membership in the Independent Democratic Conference shouldn't be forgotten.

"They were Democrats who ran as Democrats in the community but when they went three hours away to Albany where you could not see them ... to caucus with Republicans," she said.

Recent criminal justice reform, housing reform and other progressive bills aren't new, Richardson said. Hamilton's work with Republicans made it possible for them to stop them, she charged.

"These were bills that were tied up in the New York state legislature for over a decade because the Republicans were in power of the New York state Senate," she said.

Hamilton lost a 2018 primary to current state Sen. Zellnor Myrie, a progressive ally of Richardson's. His entry into the race was seen by Richardson as retribution for his loss.

The Kings County Democratic Party is backing Hamilton as part of a series of backroom deals, Richardson charged.

Hamilton in turn charged that Richardson has continuously lied about him. He claims Richardson took credit for the work he did in Albany.

"You piggybacked on everything I was doing," Hamilton said in a Facebook video post of his own.

"The reason why the district leaders support me is they've known me over 50 years," he said.

The 43rd Assembly district covers Crown Heights and Prospect Lefferts Gardens.