BAY RIDGE — Justin Brannan’s chief counsel, Kayla Santosuosso, an Ohio native, civil litigation attorney and staunch Democrat, recently announced she is running for the seat of the incumbent councilmember. 

Santosuosso held her campaign launch party and fundraiser on Sunday, Jan. 5 at the Salty Dog on Third Avenue before a sizable crowd of community members and supporters.

If elected, Santosuosso would serve southern Brooklyn’s 47th City Council district, which includes Bay Ridge and Coney Island.  

Ready on day one 

“Serving the public is all I know,” Santosuosso told the Brooklyn Eagle. Santosuosso noted that she is a fourth generation business owner, as she owns the Lock Yard Bar in Bay Ridge with her husband. “I also think, in a time where people are feeling overwhelmed by federal politics, local politics are more important than ever, focusing on everyday issues that are urgent for constituents. You need someone who is ready on day one, and I am. I know how to do the job.” 

The 34-year-old Santosuosso has been a Bay Ridgian for  over a decade and is currently president of the Bay Ridge Democrats, co-founded by Brannan and State Sen. Andrew Gounardes. 

Santosuosso previously worked for the Arab American Association of New York before joining the City Council campaign of Palestinian pastor Khader El-Yateem, who ran against Brannan in the 2017 primary. 

Santosuosso later joined Brannan as his deputy chief of staff before working as an attorney for the city’s Law Department and then returning to Brannan’s office. 

Santosuosso said that all of the quality of life issues that Brannan has addressed, including safe and clean streets and sidewalks, good schools and beautifying parks, are issues that she will continue addressing. 

Santosuosso alluded to the revamping of waterfront parks in Bay Ridge, which is part of the Destination: Greenways program, adding, “I want to take that out to Coney Island, as well.”

Santosuosso hopes to cut fines and fees levied against small businesses “by a dramatic amount” and curb out-of-control utility costs for both residents and small businesses. “In addition, I would like to see affordable housing for people at every income level,” Santosuosso said.

Appealing to all voters  

If elected, Santosuosso said her biggest challenge would be restoring people’s faith in government.

“Politics is a dirty word to some, and many people don’t believe in the ability of government to deliver,” Santosuosso explained, adding, “I don’t care what party you belong to, or who you voted for. Whether you are a Democrat, Republican or a Conservative, at the end of the day, on a local level, you just want a good quality of life, and want life to be easier and more affordable.”  

Brannan has represented the 47th City Council district since 2018. But due to term limits, he will be relinquishing his position later this year. Brannan endorsed Santosuosso and addressed the crowd at the event, noting that “there are a lot of seeds that I planted, and I want to make sure that this neighborhood is in good hands.”

Brannan continued, “There has to be someone who can see these projects through, and Kayla will get that done. She is ready to serve the people of this community and make sure that all voices are heard. I’m proud to endorse her and can’t wait to see her take over this seat.”  

Gounardes, who emceed the event, pointed out that Santosuosso will make a phenomenal city councilmember “from Colonial Road all the way out to Coney Island.”

“She has always put community first and lives and breathes the struggles of people in this neighborhood every single day,” Gounardes said.

The primary elections for City Council take place on June 24, and the 2025 New York City Council elections will be held on Nov. 4. Brannan is the only Brooklyn councilmember who has reached term limits, and he is running for City Comptroller.