The winner of the 46th District Assembly seat may be the first Russian immigrant elected to a statewide office.

Two Democratic Russian immigrants are facing off for the position with no Republican opponents thus far. Journalist Ari Kagen says if elected he plans to tackle many of the issues he reported on for more than a decade. Kagen says crime, development, safety and education are among those issues.

Meanwhile, Kagen?s opponent Alec Brook-Krasney is focusing his campaign on affordable housing, more schools and traffic. Brook-Krasney says he has been helping the community for years through a Russian organization he founded and he hopes to be the voice that represents the district.

The Assembly seat is being vacated after four terms by Assemblywoman Adele Cohen. The 46th District includes Brighton Beach, Coney Island, Bay Ridge and Dyker Heights.