(AP) A lawyer and activist who touted himself as a "real" Democrat has defeated an incumbent who had been part of a Democratic splinter group that helped Republicans keep control of New York's Senate.

Zellnor Myrie defeated state Sen. Jesse Hamilton on Thursday in the Democratic primary for the 20th state Senate district. The district includes a number of Brooklyn neighborhoods, including Crown Heights, Park Slope and Sunset Park.

Hamilton was one of eight state senators who made up the Independent Democratic Conference. The IDC broke with Democrats for years to support Republican control of the chamber but reunified earlier this year.

Myrie and other challengers said voters shouldn't accept Democrats not supporting their party.

There is no Republican candidate in the general election on Nov. 6.