Primary Election
Open seat in Brooklyn's 54th Assembly District draws two candidates
The 54th Assembly District seat is open with no incumbent on the ballot. Two candidates, Christian Celeste Tate and Erik Martin Dilan, are competing in the Democratic primary on June 23, 2026. Both candidates have staked out positions on a range of issues, with Tate emphasizing progressive priorities like fighting fascism and standing with Palestine, while Dilan focuses on opposition to Donald Trump and other shared concerns.
Incumbent New York State Assembly Member for the 54th District
Immigration — Dilan believes ICE should be abolished. He supports legislation allowing residents to sue ICE agents for civil rights violations and keeping ICE away from sensitive locations like churches, schools, and hospitals. He is committed to protecting immigrants in New York and defending their rights.
1199 SEIU +5
Community organizer
Housing — Tate supports creating a Social Housing Development Authority to build hundreds of thousands of permanently affordable homes statewide, expanding Good Cause eviction protections, defending rent stabilization, passing the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act to support tenant organizing, expanding the cease and desist zone, and adopting a tax on speculative home flipping to fight displacement.
New York City Democratic Socialists of America +7
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K-12 Education
Tate emphasizes fully funding public schools and filling teacher shortages, while Dilan focuses on universal, free childcare for children under 5 and expanding pre-K and 3-K.
Dilan supports universal, free childcare for children under 5, as proposed by Mayor Mamdani and Governor Hochul. He has worked to expand pre-K and 3-K throughout New York and is working to reopen the shuttered Audrey Johnson and John Coker Day Care centers in North Brooklyn.
Campaign Issues PageHealthcare
Tate supports the New York Health Act for universal healthcare and protecting abortion and gender-affirming care, while Dilan opposes cuts to Medicaid and ACA subsidies and supports fixing nurse shortages and expanding mental health care.
Tate believes healthcare is a human right and supports passing the New York Health Act for universal healthcare, fully funding hospitals that serve the community, and protecting access to abortions, gender-affirming care, and maternity supports.
Campaign PlatformHousing
Tate advocates for a Social Housing Development Authority and expanding tenant protections, while Dilan highlights his role in passing strong rent laws and supporting legislation to bring affordable homes to Brooklyn.
Tate supports creating a Social Housing Development Authority to build hundreds of thousands of permanently affordable homes statewide, expanding Good Cause eviction protections, defending rent stabilization, passing the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act to support tenant organizing, expanding the cease and desist zone, and adopting a tax on speculative home flipping to fight displacement.
Campaign PlatformResearched & verified Jun 22, 2026. Compiled from verified public sources; claims that failed verification are excluded.