In a historic primary election, democratic socialist Maurice 'Mo' Brown has defeated 28-year incumbent Bill Magnarelli to become the Democratic nominee for New York State Assembly District 129. Brown won by approximately 100 votes after mail-in ballots were counted, marking a significant upset in a district where Magnarelli had often run unopposed since taking office in 1999.
Brown's victory is part of a national trend of democratic socialist candidates defeating establishment figures in primary elections. The campaign faced substantial opposition from big money interests; in the last three weeks of the primary, DoorDash spent nearly $155,000 on ads against Brown. Additionally, the political establishment, including an endorsement from New York Governor Kathy Hochul, backed Magnarelli.
'The community has spoken, and the message is clear: Housing, healthcare, and education are human rights and the role of government is to protect those rights,' said Maurice Brown. 'Our victory today is a collective one. It is a victory against big money and establishment politics.'
Brown ran as part of the 'Affordability Slate' alongside Jo Bennett and Tammy Honeywell, all endorsed by the Syracuse DSA, NY Working Families Party, and Citizen Action of NY. Bennett won her primary for Onondaga County Legislator, District 15, defeating an establishment opponent with 24 years in office. Honeywell lost her race but remains optimistic about the movement's growth.
'I've never seen a movement like this in Central New York. This is historic, and it's a clear message about the needs of our communities,' said Jo Bennett, a Syracuse city public school teacher and union organizer.
Brown's campaign focused on affordability, protecting people from ICE, and banning data centers. He received an endorsement from U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders, a full-circle moment as Brown began his political activism as a National Delegate for Sanders' presidential campaign.
The general election is set for November 23rd, with Brown and Bennett facing Republican opponents in heavily Democratic districts. 'I will be so honored to represent our communities in Albany. I am ready to fight together to deliver on these needs and provide for all our people,' Brown said.
Syracuse DSA, the local chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America, has grown to hundreds of dues-paying members since its founding in 2018. The chapter focuses on mutual aid, international solidarity with Palestine, opposing ICE, and electing democratic socialists to office.
