Yvette Clarke narrowly beat three opponents to capture the seat. - Contributed

NEW YORK (CMC):

Yvette D. Clarke, the daughter of Jamaican immigrants, has emerged victorious in the Democratic Primary for a United States Congressional seat in Brooklyn, New York.

The Brooklyn Councilwoman narrowly beat three opponents to capture the seat, which has been held by blacks since the 1968 victory of Shirley Chisholm, the first black woman elected to Congress.

"I will not stop fighting until the working women and men of this city, state and country are paid a living wage. I will not stop fighting until all the children of this city, state and country are able to receive adequate health care and a first-grade education," said Clarke in her victory speech, late Tuesday.

Ms. Clarke, 41, the only daughter of former New York City Councilwoman Una Clarke, beat her closest rival, David Yassky, her white City Council colleague, by 2,316 votes, or five per cent, to capture the vacant 11th Congressional District seat in Brooklyn.

The predominantly Caribbean district seat in Brooklyn was created nearly four decades ago to increase minority representation in Congress.

Ms. Clarke, who was the only woman in the race, replaces veteran African American Congressman Major Owens, whose son, Chris, placed last in the contention.

By winning the Democrat Primary, Ms. Clarke is almost assured of victory in the general elections, since New York City overwhelmingly votes for the Democratic Party.