Longtime Brooklyn Assemblyman Joe Lentol defeated by challenger Emily Gallagher

ALBANY — Brooklyn activist Emily Gallagher has toppled one of the longest-serving members of the State Assembly as progressives continue to topple incumbent Democrats across the city.

Assemblyman Joe Lentol admitted defeat early Wednesday morning, conceding to Gallagher after she took the lead among absentee ballots nearly a month after the Democratic primary was held.

Lentol, 77, was ahead by roughly 1,800 votes following the June 23 election, but the small margin separating the pair evaporated as mail-in ballots were tallied — a turn echoed in a handful of other tight races.

“It’s decided: The voters in the 50th Assembly District voted for change,” he said in a statement. “It’s been a great honor to represent the people of North Brooklyn in the Assembly. I’m proud of my years of service, delivering important legislation and always attending to constituents’ needs.”

Lentol has been a member of the Legislature since 1973, representing Williamsburg and Greenpoint.

Gallagher, 36, a member of Brooklyn’s Community Board 1 and the founder of the Greenpoint Sexual Assault Task Force, had the backing of several progressive groups including the New Kings Democrats and was endorsed by former gubernatorial candidates Cynthia Nixon and Zephyr Teachout.

While the Brooklyn Democratic Socialists of America declined to endorse in the race, the progressive Working Families Party supported Lentol.

“I can’t believe I am writing this but it’s official: we won,” Gallagher tweeted Wednesday. “This was a collective and truly grassroots campaign, powered by a deep love for North Brooklyn and a desire to make it better.

“Thank you so much for believing in me, against all the odds,” she added.

Gallagher caught some flak during the campaign when old blog posts about mooning a couple having sex and hosting a “homeless party” during her time at Ithaca College surfaced.

The Rochester native now joins a growing group of young progressive who have taken down long-serving Dems in this year’s primary and will likely sail to victory in November.

Assemblywoman Aravella Simotas (D-Queens) conceded Wednesday to DSA-backed challenger Zohran Mamdani.

“We’re still at the BoE waiting for them to officially scan the ballots, but the absentee count in our race is over,” Mamdani tweeted. “And based on our internal tally, we finished ahead by over 300 votes - more than enough to avoid a recount & ensure our victory.

“Socialism won,” he added.

Tenant organizer Phara Souffrant Forrest, also backed by the Democratic Socialists of America, declared victory earlier in the day over Assemblyman Walter Mosley (D-Brooklyn) after trailing the incumbent by 588 votes on election night.

Last week, Assemblyman Felix Ortiz (D-Brooklyn) was bested by Marcela Mitaynes and Assemblyman Michael DenDekker (D-Queens) conceded Friday to challenger Jessica González-Rojas.

The drawn-out primary, complicated by the coronavirus pandemic, has raised questions and concerns about the state of New York’s election process as thousands of absentee ballots were tossed in recent weeks over postmark problems and other issues.

Gallagher is part of a lawsuit filed last week against Gov. Cuomo and the New York State Board of Elections over the invalidation of ballots.