A newcomer in the 30th Assembly District race knocks the longtime incumbent Democrat off the ballot. NY1's Clodagh McGowan reports.
Come November, voters will find a new Democrat on the ballot for the 30th Assembly District seat for the first time in almost 20 years.
Thirty year-old attorney Brian Barnwell defeated longtime incumbent Marge Markey in Tuesday's primary.
"It's hard to beat the incumbent but what I would say is if you work hard, you can overcome the incumbent," said Barnwell.
Barnwell took 63 percent of the vote to Markey's 36 percent. Markey has held the 30th District seat since 1998, representing parts of Woodside, Maspeth, Middle Village and Astoria.
Barnwell says he knocked on a lot of doors while campaigning and the constituents want a representative they can reach.
"The incumbent was not showing up to work. Not showing up locally to community groups. This is their opinion, you can never reach her directly," said Barnwell.
Barnwell's supporters say the primary results prove the voters are ready for change and new blood in Albany
"We want people in this district and I think throughout New York state who are going to go up to Albany and do work," said Jesse Rose, an Astoria resident.
"This is actually a victory for the political process not just for Brian Barnwell. It shows that somebody with hard work and perseverance can come in and challenge an entrenched incumbent," said Dan Smyth, also an Astoria resident.
Barnwell says going forward; he's campaigning on a platform to bring ethics reform to Albany.
"Everything stems from that. You know, lobbyists donating massive sums to the politicians of course the politicians aren't going to do anything. That's who they get funded by," said Barnwell.
Barnwell will face Republican Anthony Nunziato in November's general election.
NY1 reached out to Markey's office for a statement. We have not heard back.