Brooklyn Dem and New York City Councilman Justin Brannan is reportedly considering a run for the city’s Comptroller seat in next year’s election, as confirmed by The Post. Brannan, currently serving as the council’s finance chair, filed paperwork with the Campaign Finance Board on Tuesday to begin his fundraising process for the already competitive position.
Brannan, 45, has registered a political committee named JB for NYC, which mirrors his previous committees: Relect JB and Friends of JB, according to records. As of now, Brannan’s intentions remain unclear, with it being uncertain if he is formally running or merely exploring potential support as a candidate.
Next year’s primaries are still almost a year away, but the list of candidates vying for the position of financial watchdog for New York City has already begun to grow rapidly. Comptroller Brad Lander recently entered the race against Mayor Eric Adams, while Queens Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar announced her candidacy on Monday.
Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine is also expected to enter the fray after filing paperwork for the role last week, although he informed The Post that he was currently just exploring the possibility of a bid. Brannan’s term in the council is nearing its end, leading him to contemplate his next political move with the position of Comptroller being considered as a viable option due to his experience as finance chair, according to sources.
In recent years, Brannan has been an outspoken advocate on budget issues and played a significant role in advocating for a property tax rebate in 2022. He has also challenged Mayor Eric Adams’ administration over budget cuts during the migrant crisis, which led to disagreements regarding differing projections of tax revenue.
Brannan, known for his hardcore punk rock career with Most Precious Blood, represents the 47th council district in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. Although there have been rumors about Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso potentially entering the race, he informed Pix11 on Monday that he would not be participating.
With multiple candidates already expressing interest in the position of New York City’s Comptroller, the competitive nature of the race is likely to continue growing as next year’s primaries approach.
