Salazar leads upheaval in state Senate

Despite mountain of political baggage, an upstart Brooklyn Socialist toppled an entrenched incumbent in a closely watched state Senate race dominated by headlines about truth and integrity.

Julia Salazar, 27, rode the progressive wave, toppling long-term state Sen. Martin Dilan in a district that includes swaths of Williamsburg, Bushwick, and Cypress Hills.

“Tonight’s victory is not about me,” Salazar (photo) said in a tweet after her win. “Tonight’s victory is about New Yorkers coming together and choosing to fight against rising rents and homelessness in our communities. Together, we will build a better New York.”

She was unable to get out of her own way with controversial revelations about her ties to Republicans, her workingclass credo and her one-time anti-abortion stance. But her progressive message resonated with voters who gave her 57% of the vote in early counts.

Dilan, meanwhile, failed to report thousands of dollars in donations since 2016 — a violation of state campaign finance law.

Edna Rodriguez, a 73-yearold retired nursing assistant, said she voted for Dilan because she said he has a good housing track record, and she said she didn’t really know about Salazar’s policies.

“I stayed with Dilan because I see what he’s done with housing here in the neighborhood, helping people who really need it,” she said.

Levi Soto, 25, of Bushwick, said he voted for Salazar because he thinks progressive politicians should take control of the Democratic Party. He said controversy surrounding Salazar’s birthplace, heritage did not move him.

“If you were going to put a microscope on any politician you’ll find something,” Soto said of Salazar. “It couldn’t be worse than what we have in Washington.”

A primary victory all but assures Salazar a win in November.