Mayor Adams backs NYC Councilman Justin Brannan’s re-election bid, his first endorsement in this cycle
By CHRIS SOMMERFELDT | New York Daily News
Mayor Adams formally threw his support behind Brooklyn Councilman Justin Brannan’s competitive reelection bid Thursday, his first endorsement in this year’s local election cycle.
“I’ve known Justin for a long time, and he’s always been someone who knows how to cut through the noise to get stuff done,” the mayor said of his fellow Democrat in a statement. “He is an important leader in the City Council and someone who always puts the needs of the hardworking outer boroughs first.”
The endorsement, which was first reported by Politico, comes as Brannan, a member of the Council’s leadership team, gears up for a Nov. 7 general election fight against fellow incumbent Councilman Ari Kagan, a Republican.
The unusual incumbent-versus-incumbent dynamic of the race for southern Brooklyn’s 47th Council District is the result of this year’s redistricting process and marks a bellwether for how much influence Republicans have built as the party attempts to flip seats red.
Brannan currently represents the neighboring 43rd, but its lines were scrambled by the redistricting process in such a way that he opted to run for reelection in the new 47th, which covers Bay Ridge and Coney Island. Kagan currently represents the 47th and is running for reelection in it, pitting him against Brannan.
The contest between Brannan and Kagan is widely viewed as one of the most competitive in this year’s cycle. Their race has been marred by heated sparring between the candidates over a range of issues, including everything from coastal resiliency efforts in southern Brooklyn to what type of role the 47th District should play in helping to house some of the tens of thousands of migrants who have arrived in the city since last year.
Asked for comment on Adams’ endorsement, Brannan responded by texting the Daily News an emoji of two hands making the shape of a heart.
The mayor’s endorsement indicates how high of a priority the race is for New York City’s Democratic establishment.
Adams and the Council’s Democratic leaders have had a tense working relationship lately. The two sides clashed intensely over this year’s $107 billion city government budget, which the Council adopted despite serious reservations from its Democratic members about spending cuts sought by the mayor.
It’s unclear if the mayor will offer any more Council endorsements this year. His campaign adviser Evan Thies said “wait and see” when asked if any more endorsements are in the pipeline.