A snowy special election day has come and gone for Bronxites, who spent Tuesday heading to the polls to fill the vacant state Assembly District 77 seat in small numbers and, according to unofficial results from the city’s Board of Elections (BOE), Democrat Landon Dais is on his way to the state governing body.
As of about 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Dais, an attorney and legal consultant, led challenger Norman McGill with 74.03% of the vote, with 97.01% of scanners reported, according to the BOE’s unofficial results. Once the results are certified, Dais will fill the seat that was vacated following the resignation of Latoya Joyner, who announced on the first day of the 2024 legislative session that she was leaving the Assembly to pursue an opportunity in the private sector.
“Tonight marks a significant triumph, not solely for myself and my supporters, but for all of the 77th Assembly District,” Dais said in a statement Tuesday night. “Despite the challenges posed by the snow storm, the people made their voices heard. I extend my deepest gratitude to all volunteers, staff members, unions, organizations, and elected officials who have placed their trust in me. Rest assured, I am committed to tirelessly serving you and ensuring your pride in endorsing my candidacy.”
State Assembly District 77 encompasses the neighborhoods of Claremont, Concourse, Mount Eden, Highbridge and Morris Heights.
The results show a dismal turnout in the Bronx for the snow-filled special election day. According to information from the BOE, as of 6 p.m. on Feb. 13, there had only been 1,072 check-ins for the special election — which includes the 272 who checked in during the early voting period. The 1,072 check-ins represent only 1.68% of the district’s total active registered voters.
At the Bronx Borough Hall poll center on Tuesday afternoon, Beverly Mills, the site coordinator, told the Bronx Times that only 10 people had shown up to vote in person by about 1:30 p.m.
“I feel the weather’s got a lot to do with it,” she said. Mills also attributed the lack of in-person voting to the nine-day early voting period, which she said cuts down the flow on Election Day.
Further south, at the Hostos Community College polling site, there had only been two in-person voters all day by 2:30 p.m.
Voter turnout is generally low in the Bronx, as demonstrated by the November 2022 gubernatorial and congressional elections, as well as last November’s citywide races. In November 2023, even the heated City Council District 13 race — where now-Republican Council Member Kristy Marmorato beat Democratic incumbent Marjorie Velázquez — only yielded a 4.4% voter turnout by around 3 p.m. on Election Day.
The special election’s concurrent winter storm — the heaviest snowfall in New York City in more than two years — likely contributed to low voter turnout. Soon after the polls opened the morning of Feb. 13, the National Weather Service reported a snowfall rate of 1-2 inches per hour on parts of the East Coast. At around 2:45 p.m., New York City Emergency Management cautioned that snow and standing water on roadways will likely freeze over Tuesday night into Wednesday morning.
Joyner — an attorney who had served as the 77th Assembly District representative since 2014 — chaired the body’s labor committee and sponsored bills to establish a maximum allowable temperature inside school buildings, create a task force to examine affordable housing lotteries, and prevent rent increases for disabled tenants, among numerous others.
In a statement posted to social media announcing her resignation, Joyner said her accomplishments on the Assembly will “forever be among my proudest accomplishments.”
“From my first days in the state capitol as an Assembly intern to subsequently having the privilege of representing the people of my community … I have always felt that state government plays a critical role in shaping the lives of all New Yorkers,” Joyner said. “My commitment to service remains unwavering.”
The Bronx Democratic Party was swift to unanimously nominate Dais, 42, to take over Joyner’s seat after she announced her resignation. Originally from Harlem, Dais’ wife is from the Bronx and the couple is now living and raising their children in the borough.
The Democrat said his platform aims to address issues such as affordable housing, job training, after-school programs, and maintaining community safety and cleanliness in District 77.
“I am honored and invigorated by the mandate bestowed upon me by the residents of this district. My life’s dedication has been to advocate for the welfare of my community and beyond. Together, we possess the capacity to enact the transformative changes and advancements essential for our community’s prosperity,” Dais said in a statement Tuesday night. “… This is a responsibility I will never take for granted and plan on earning your continued support again in June and November. Now, let’s get to work! ”
In a majority blue district, Dais was heavily favored to win over McGill, who ran on the Republican and Conservative lines. According to the New York State Board of Elections, there were more than 48,000 active registered Democrats in District 77 as of Nov. 1, 2023 — compared to just over 2,000 Republicans. In fact, before Marmorato’s surprising upset in the Council District 13 race in November, a Republican had not been elected to any public office in the Bronx since 2004.
The 77th Assembly District seat will be up for grabs again next election cycle to serve the full term.
The Bronx’s special election was clouded by interest over another in New York City on Feb. 13 — the effort to replace expelled Rep. George Santos in the 3rd Congressional District in Queens and Long Island. The snow also caused the candidates in that race — Democrat Tom Suozzi and Republican Mazi Pilip — to alter their Election Day campaign plans.
Emily Swanson contributed to this report. This story was last updated at 4:55 p.m. on Feb. 14.
Reach Camille Botello at cbotello@schnepsmedia.com. For more coverage, follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @bronxtimes
