As New York City gears up for the 2024 elections, Bushwick stands at a pivotal point due to its history as a bellwether for progressive voting patterns across the country. With the neighborhood completing the presidential primary, starting with early voting from March 23 to March 30 and finishing Primary Day on April 2, the focus isn’t just on the national scene. Bushwick’s local political landscape will be in flux due to local elections for all State Senate, State Assembly and Congressional Seats, in addition to shifts due to redistricting and demographic changes that have occurred in the neighborhood.

Politico reports that the recent redistricting was mostly bipartisan, and is not expected to affect election results except for in a few key districts. Despite not moving the needle on election predictions, there were some notable changes to Bushwick’s political map. Adjustments in areas such as Julia Salazar’s current State Senate District 18 seat which now includes the extremely conservative South Williamsburg area (voted ~80% trump) and Nydia Velazquez’s Congressional District 7. Changes that will surely affect election results and strategy, even if not outcomes. Jeff Coltin, a political reporter for Politico New York, downplayed the impact of the changes in NY-07 Congresswoman Velazquez’s district. Coltin told Bushwick Daily, “nothing changed!” Elaborating, “…a few blocks in northern Bed-Stuy and around Downtown Brooklyn are changing from last cycle to this year.”

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