By NAN Staff Writer
News Americas, BROOKLYN, NY, Thurs. Nov. 5, 2015: A Guyana-born freshman politician is now a New York State Senator.
Roxanne Jacqueline Persaud, who last year made history by becoming the first woman to represent the 59th Assembly District, on Tuesday night won the state senate seat that was vacated by convicted Guyanese-American Senator, John Sampson.
Persaud, a Democrat, cruised to victory over Republican Jeffrey Ferretti with 88 percent or 6,980 votes to Ferretti’s nine percent or 702 votes. The 19th Senate District Race covers Canarsie, Mill Basin, East New York and Brownsville in Brooklyn, NY.
Persaud said among her priorities remains to understand and connect to the needs of this newer part of the district including working on such issues as crime and affordable housing.
She was formerly President of the 69th Precinct Community Council in Canarsie, member of Community Board 18 and Commissioner on the New York City Districting Commission.
Persaud was born in Guyana, South America and migrated to the United States with her parents and siblings. She is a graduate of Pace University and holds a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Education Administration.
