DYKER HEIGHTS — Councilmember Justin Brannan, who previously announced he is running for citywide office as New York City comptroller, held an official campaign kickoff fundraiser alongside his constituents Nov. 19 at the Dyker Beach Golf Course Catering Hall. 

The comptroller “safeguards the City’s fiscal health, roots out waste, fraud and abuse in local government and ensures that municipal agencies serve the needs of all New Yorkers,” according to the government website. The role is currently filled by Brad Lander. However, as Lander is slated to run for mayor, he is not expected to seek reelection. 

The 2025 New York City comptroller election will be held on Nov. 4, 2025. The official ballot for the primary will not be set by the city Board of Elections until spring 2025. Current declared candidates include Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine and Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar (D-38).

“It’s about showing up and doing the work,” Brannan said. “You must take the big ideas and sweat the small stuff all along the way. That’s how I’ve approached every challenge in my career, and it’s how I’m going to approach the race for comptroller.”

Brannan pointed out that New York City is getting harder and harder for working families.

“If we want families to stay in this city, we need them to thrive here and not just survive here,” he said. “Rich people aren’t the ones leading New York City, working families are.”

Brannan also spoke about his many accomplishments in his eight years as a councilmember, including bringing back over $200 million to southern Brooklyn through investments in parks and playgrounds.

“The city has a $113 billion budget, and we need to make sure that every single penny of that is working for you,” Brannan said. “You all work hard and pay plenty of taxes. You and your families deserve to see a tangible return on that investment.”  

Brannan told the Brooklyn Eagle this past summer that he also plans on auditing city agencies to ensure that they are working and serving efficiently while rooting out waste and public corruption. 

“As the guy who oversees the largest municipal budget in the country, I can tell you this: New York City’s economy is resilient and strong, but it requires nurturing and never resting on our laurels,” Brannan explained. “It requires government support and partnership, and it requires our government knowing when to get out of the way.”

New York City is the greatest city in the world, Brannan said, but that is something that must be worked at every day, and never taken for granted, he pointed out.  

“We need to do a better job ensuring our spending matches our priorities. Because ultimately, a budget is more than just a list of income and expenditures — it’s a statement of values.” 

State Sen. Andrew Gounardes, who was also in attendance, said that there is no one he can think of who could do a better job as New York City Comptroller than Brannan. 

“Justin has been an incredible finance chair,” Gounardes explained. “He knows where every penny is, and he knows the city budget inside and out. He also cares about solving problems. Those are two of the most important elements of the job for city comptroller. I’m betting on Justin.” 

Councilmember Mercedes Narcisse (D-46), who also spoke to the audience, noted that elected officials have to listen and strive to bring solutions to people’s problems.

“We are in a very challenging time,” Narcisse said. “But every problem has a solution, and that’s the way Justin thinks. No problem is too little for him, and no problem is too big.”