DSA Upset in Brooklyn Shows Limits of Low-Turnout Politics

Assembly District 54, encompassing Bushwick and Cypress Hills in Brooklyn, elected a Democratic Socialists of America candidate, Christian Celeste Tate, in the 2026 Democratic primary, ending Erik Dilan’s long-standing hold on the seat. Dilan, a veteran machine politician, garnered roughly the same vote total—about 2,500—as he had in 2022, while the DSA challenger more than doubled the party’s prior showing, securing 4,054 votes.

The extra 1,700 ballots that turned out were enough to unseat Dilan, despite the district’s 130,000 residents and 53,000 registered Democrats, keeping overall turnout well below 20 percent. Observers note that many of the new voters are likely recent, younger arrivals or long-time residents motivated by a strong campaign effort. The result counters centrist Democrats’ claims that the win is insignificant or merely a byproduct of gentrification, illustrating how even modest increases in participation can disrupt entrenched political machines in New York City.