Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Justin Brannan for NYC Comptroller

Candidate Name: Justin Brannan

Office Seeking Election for: NYC Comptroller

Campaign Website: https://justinbrannan.com/

1. Based upon your life experiences and accomplishments, why do you believe you are best qualified to represent your district?

My path to public office was unconventional. Growing up, I wanted to be a member of The Ramones, not a member of the City Council. But my years touring the world in a punk rock band taught me about community, creativity, resilience, and the importance of fighting for the underdog. Those lessons guide me today as a public servant fighting to make sure our government does right by New Yorkers.

As a Council Member and Finance Chair, I’ve put those values into action by building new public schools, renovating my local parks, and delivering for working families. When the Mayor proposed cutting libraries, early childhood education, and after-school programs, I said hell no! When he said the city was broke, I proved him wrong. We found where they were hiding the extra cash, restored funding to essential services, and we got homeowners their first property tax rebate in 15 years!

Time and time again, I’ve been proven right on the city’s budget forecasts. But it’s not because I'm some math wizard or fortune teller. It’s because I refuse to accept the status quo – I challenge it. And now more than ever working people deserve politicians with the courage to question the answers and speak truth to power. Above all, these days, politicians need to listen.

Life in New York City is getting harder and harder for working families. It’s too expensive and people feel like they’re being pushed out and away. Rich people aren’t leaving New York. Working families are. That’s not the city I grew up in. And it sure as hell isn’t the city I want to leave behind for the next generation. But we have the power to change that together.

With Trump back in office again, local government is back on the frontlines and these times call for big, bold solutions. This is about more than policies – it’s about making our city livable again. We need better housing, stronger schools, and the kind of childcare system that makes it possible for parents to stay in the workforce and still raise a family here.

2. What LGBTQ organizations have you been involved with, either on a volunteer basis or professionally? What LGBTQ candidates have you endorsed?

I’ve stood proudly with LGBTQ organizations like Jim Owles, Stonewall Democrats, Lambda Independent Democrats, Equality New York, and Gay Ridge. I’ve endorsed and campaigned for LGBTQ candidates including Crystal Hudson, Tiffany Cabán, and Erik Bottcher. Back in 2008, I co-founded the Bay Ridge Democrats with my brother — now State Senator Andrew Gounardes — and together we fought to unseat longtime

conservative Republican Marty Golden, who for years stood in the way of progress on marriage equality, gun safety, reproductive rights, and so much more.

3. If you receive our endorsement, do you agree to identify the Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club on all literature and electronic materials?

Yes, I have in the past and will be honored.

4. What press conferences, demonstrations, rallies and protests in support of LGBT issues, pro-choice legislation, racial justice, criminal justice have you attended, including rallies specifically against Donald Trump?

Too many to count - a couple below:

Racial & Criminal Justice:
https://x.com/JustinBrannan/status/1269697432234885120

Choice:
https://x.com/JustinBrannan/status/1540838665496182784

Trump: https://x.com/JustinBrannan/status/1908575027215188179

5. In light of the upcoming Trump Administration’s war on women, the LGBTQ+ community, racial minorities and immigrants, what are your plans to organize and combat the Trump agenda?

Donald Trump and his allies are threatening to drag this country backward, attacking women’s rights, LGBTQ+ rights, immigrants, and communities of color. I’ve never backed down from a bully, and I’m not about to start now.

As New York City Comptroller, I’ll build a fiscal firewall between our city and any attempt by the Trump administration to undermine our values. That means protecting our budget from political retaliation, making sure our pension funds are invested ethically, and ensuring not one dollar of city money supports hate, discrimination, or injustice.

I’ve already shown I’m not afraid to speak truth to power — I’ve called out corruption in City Hall, and I was the only candidate for Comptroller to call on Mayor Adams to resign or be removed.

6. Will you seek or accept endorsements of individuals who oppose LGBTQ+ and reproductive rights, such as Ruben Diaz Sr., Fernando Cabrera or Erick Salgado? Will you pledge to denounce their homophobia and anti-choice positions in the event you receive an endorsement from such individuals?

No, I will not seek or accept their endorsements. I fully denounce their bigotry and anti-choice views.

7. In light of the upcoming Trump Administration’s war on women, the LGBTQ+ community, racial minorities and immigrants, what are your plans to organize and combat the Trump agenda? Same as #5.

8. Do you support the unrestricted right to reproductive care and abortion? Yes.

9. Have you hosted, funded or otherwise supported Drag Story Hours in your community? Yes. I’ve defended Drag Story Hour publicly and helped fund library programs through discretionary funding.

10. What proposals will do you support to increase the protection of immigrants and cement New York City’s status as a Sanctuary City?

As Chair of the City Council’s Finance Committee, I’ve directed real resources to support immigrant communities including millions in funding for legal services, rapid response, language access, and community-based nonprofits that help immigrants navigate housing, healthcare, and education. I support the New York for All Act to block city cooperation with ICE, the Access to Representation Act to guarantee legal counsel in immigration proceedings, and stronger sanctuary laws across the board. I’ve fought against fear-based politics and made sure our city budget reflects our values and as Comptroller, I’ll ensure no public dollars are ever used to undermine immigrant rights.

11. How will you represent the most vulnerable, including individuals experiencing homelessness and asylum seekers? Have you ever opposed any shelter in your district? I’ve never opposed a shelter in my district. Representing a purple district in Southern Brooklyn, I’ve faced real political pressure to stay quiet or fall in line when it comes to housing the homeless or supporting asylum seekers. But I’ve always believed leadership means doing what’s right, not what’s easy.

During my last campaign, my far-right Republican opponent ran a fear-based campaign that tried to divide our community, spreading misinformation that homeless shelters and migrant housing were threats to our safety and quality of life. I refused to play into that. I

pushed back hard against that kind of toxic, fear mongering rhetoric and made it clear that using vulnerable people as political pawns is not acceptable. Especially when the stuff

I’ve stood up for the right of every human being, no matter their background or immigration status, to be treated with dignity. I’ve fought for more funding for legal services, housing support, and mental health resources. I’ve worked to ensure that shelters in my district are integrated thoughtfully and compassionately, with the services they need to help people get back on their feet.

Our city is strongest when we care for the most vulnerable, not scapegoat them. That’s what I’ve always believed and that’s how I’ve governed.

12. If incumbent, are you a co-sponsor of Resolution 2970, introduced by Council Member Shahana Hanif? If not yet elected, will you promise to co-sponsor the resolution? The text urges the NYS Legislature to pass the New York for All Act, which would ensure state and local resources are not used to facilitate federal immigration enforcement. If not, please explain.

Yes, I voted in favor of this Resolution at the March 12, 2025 Stated Meeting.

13. If incumbent, are you a co-sponsor of Resolution 2917, introduced by Council Member Crystal Hudson? If not yet elected, will you promise to co-sponsor the resolution? The text endorses the Access to Representation Act, which would establish a “universal right to counsel” for indigent New Yorkers who are subject to removal proceedings under federal immigration law. If not, please explain.

Yes, I voted in favor of this Resolution at the March 12, 2025 Stated Meeting.

14. Will you join our efforts to pass legislation mandating the review of sentences of incarcerated individuals over the age of 55 who have served in excess of 15 years to determine if they warrant release? The legislation is commonly known as the New York Elder Parole Bill.

Yes.

15. Do you oppose the death penalty? Yes.

16. Do you support outlawing solitary confinement? Yes.

17. Do you commit to visit constituents who are incarcerated? Will you work to secure the release of individuals who have demonstrated sincere remorse, worked toward rehabilitation and are not deemed a threat to society?

Yes.

18. Do you commit to working to change our penal system toward a restorative rather than a retributive model of justice?

Yes.

19. Do you commit to make applications for clemencies available to your constituency including a link to an application in a constituent newsletter? Will you submit it to our club?

Yes.

20. Who did you support for mayor in the 2021 Democratic primary election?

Eric Adams (But I also am the only candidate in this race who has called on him to resign or be removed so don’t hate me!)

21. Which 2025 Democratic candidates have you removed from your consideration? Have you endorsed anyone? If so, who?

No, I have not made any decision on the Mayoral race and am focused on my own race.

22. Do you support the renaming of the Ed Koch bridge and will you work towards the renaming including sponsoring such legislation?

I am open to renaming the Ed Koch bridge.

23. What are your plans to address rent affordability in NYC? Did you vote for “City of Yes”? If not, please explain.

Yes, I voted for “City of Yes” because if we’re serious about tackling our affordability crisis, we need to vastly increase our overall housing supply. We’ve seen it work in other cities that when you build more housing, costs start to come down. But zoning reform alone isn’t enough. As the Council’s lead budget negotiator, I helped secure billions in capital funding, as part of the final approved legislation, to actually build that housing and invest in the infrastructure improvements needed to support it. I’ve also fought for stronger tenant protections and deeper affordability in city-financed projects.

24. What are your plans regarding short-term housing?

I voted for the legislation that cracked down on illegal short-term rentals because protecting our housing stock and keeping New Yorkers housed is more important than Airbnb’s bottom line. Local Law 18 ensures that apartments aren’t turned into illegal hotels, driving up rents and taking affordable units off the market.

25. Do you support fully divesting city pension funds from Tesla?

Yes, I am the only candidate in this race who has called for this. My full Tesla divestment plan can be read at justinbrannan.com/tesla

26. Based upon your life experiences and accomplishments, why should we believe you would be a dynamic and progressive voice in elected office?

Nobody knows the city budget better than I do. As Chair of the Council’s Finance Committee, I’ve been on the front lines fighting for a budget that reflects our values — not just bottom lines. When Mayor Adams tried to slash funding for schools, libraries, CUNY, and critical services, I helped lead the fight to reverse those cuts and protect the programs working New Yorkers rely on. I’ve exposed corruption, called out waste, and I was the only candidate in the Comptroller’s race with the guts to publicly call on Mayor Adams to resign or be removed. I am a fighter and am unafraid to speak truth to power. I’m proud to be endorsed by the Working Families Party because I don’t just vote the right way — I lead, I organize, and I deliver. Whether it’s investing in affordable housing, protecting union jobs, or making the budget process more transparent and accessible, I’ve shown I can get real results while always standing on the side of working people.

27. What additional information would you like the Jim Owles club to consider when we are making our endorsement decision?

Before politics, I was a professional touring musician — so I know what it means to hustle, to live without a safety net, and to build something from the ground up. That experience shaped my politics: I’ve always fought for the underdog, and I’ve never forgotten where I come from. I’ve also been a lifelong vegetarian and animal lover, values that reflect my deep belief in compassion, justice, and standing up for those without a voice. Whether it’s fighting for tenants, workers, or animals, I bring that same passion and authenticity to everything I do.

28. Are you a potential candidate for City Council speaker in the upcoming term? If so, what is your platform?

N/A, I am a candidate for City Comptroller and am term limited from the City Council.

questionnaireJim Owles Liberal Democratic ClubApril 27, 2025nyc compt 2025