Republican candidate Lester Chang won the Assembly seat in the 49th Assembly district over Peter Abbate nearly a month ago, but his victory may be short-lived. 

Community members and the Asian Wave Alliance spoke out after the Kings County Democratic County Committee and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie released statements saying they are investigating allegations regarding Chang’s residency requirements.  

According to the state constitution, candidates are required to live in the county they would serve for at least 12 months prior to the election. Reports show that Chang registered to vote in Brooklyn in February but was previously registered to vote in Manhattan.  

Heastie says he is directing the Assembly’s judiciary committee to review Chang’s eligibility to hold this seat and hopes to complete the investigation by the end of the month, adding that a completed review will be sent to the Assembly for consideration when it convenes in January.  

Dozens of constituents from the district stood outside of Abbate’s office saying they want the candidate they elected and who won the majority vote in the general election to serve in the seat come January.  Voters who support Chang say they are pushing for him to keep the seat because they feel he has the best interests of the community.