Six incumbent state senators, including Brooklyn's State Senator Jesse Hamilton, were unseated by progressive challengers -- a rebuke of their affiliation with the Independent Democratic Conference (IDC), a group of eight Democrats who came under fire for caucusing with State Senate Republicans.
But could there be a comeback for them in November's general election?
The insurgence against the incumbents began after the election of President Donald Trump when the Democratic Conference and grassroots activists, including members of Rise and Resist and several Indivisible groups, began to step up criticism of the IDC for splitting the Democratic vote in the State Senate and thus enabling Republicans to maintain control of the Senate.
Brooklyn's State Senator Jesse Hamilton, who represents the 20th District, joined the IDC in late 2016. The group has since disbanded. Hamilton was among the incumbents who fell victim to Thursday's "Blue Wave;" he faced a fiery challenge from lawyer and activist Zellnor Myrie who nabbed 54.1 percent of the votes.
Other former IDC members who lost their seats yesterday are State Senators Tony Avella, Marisol Alcantara, Jose Peralta, David Valeskey and the conference's founder, Jeff Klein.
In addition to running on the Democratic ticket, Hamilton and the IDC affiliates all registered as Independents and could be back on the ballot for the general election on Tuesday, November 6.
BK Reader requested a comment from Senator Hamilton's office about another potential re-election bid, but we have yet to receive a response.
