In a historic victory, democratic socialist Maurice 'Mo' Brown has claimed the Democratic nomination for New York State Assembly District 129, defeating 28-year incumbent Bill Magnarelli by approximately 100 votes after the counting of mail-in ballots. The win is part of a national trend of democratic socialist candidates defeating establishment figures in primary elections.
Brown's campaign emphasized that housing, healthcare, and education are human rights, and that government's role is to protect those rights. 'The community has spoken, and the message is clear,' Brown said. 'Our victory today is a collective one. It is a victory against big money and establishment politics. It is a victory for all people, for our shared environment, and for the hope of democratic socialism.'
The victory is significant given Magnarelli's long tenure, having taken office in 1999 and often running unopposed. In the final three weeks of the primary, DoorDash spent nearly $155,000 on ads opposing Brown. Brown's grassroots campaign also overcame endorsements for Magnarelli from political establishment figures, including New York Governor Kathy Hochul.
Brown was part of the 'Affordability Slate' put forward by the Syracuse chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), which included three candidates. Jo Bennett won their primary for Onondaga County Legislator, District 15, defeating an opponent who had spent 24 years in the legislature. Tammy Honeywell also ran as part of the slate but lost her race.
'I've never seen a movement like this in Central New York,' said Bennett, a Syracuse public school teacher and union organizer. 'This is historic, and it's a clear message about the needs of our communities and what our communities expect from elected officials. They voted to put human needs above billionaires and corporations.'
Honeywell remained optimistic despite her loss: 'Our movement is growing and we are just getting started. We launched these campaigns to bring Democratic Socialism to Syracuse, and we've done that! Residents see that we bring something new, and want to address the issues that face people every day: Affordability and human rights!'
All three candidates received early endorsements from the Syracuse DSA, the New York Working Families Party, and Citizen Action of New York. Brown later received an endorsement from U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders, a full-circle moment for Brown, who began his political activism as a National Delegate for Sanders' presidential campaign.
Brown's platform included affordability, protecting people from ICE, and banning data centers. 'The voters chose the priorities we ran on,' Brown said.
Syracuse DSA now turns its focus to the general election on November 23rd. Brown and Bennett will face Republican opponents in heavily Democratic districts. 'I will be so honored to represent our communities in Albany,' Brown said. 'I am ready to fight together to deliver on these needs and provide for all our people.'
Syracuse DSA, established in 2018 and becoming a full chapter in 2019, is the local chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America, the largest socialist organization in the U.S. with over 100,000 members. The chapter focuses on mutual aid, international solidarity with Palestine, opposing ICE, and electing democratic socialists to office.
