BAY RIDGE — Richie Barsamian, chairman of the Kings County Republican Party (KCRP), will be throwing his hat into the ring, and running for southern Brooklyn’s 47th City Council district, which encompasses Bay Ridge and Coney Island, the Brooklyn Eagle has learned.

Barsamian, a lifelong Brooklynite, and former NYPD officer for some 20 years, has been the KCRP chair since 2023, and is running as a Republican.

He recently received the endorsement of the Kings County Conservative Party, however, Barsamian pointed out that he will, “work closely to get the support of every member of every political affiliation.”

“There is a long history in this city of Democrats, Republicans, Conservatives, Liberals, and Libertarians getting together to fix problems,” Barsamian said. “I will be listening to everyone.”

Barsamian, who is in his mid-50s, is a first generation American of Armenian, Greek, and Lebanese descent.  He is also is a staunch proponent of public safety, and making sure that the NYPD has a voice in the city council, he noted.

“Without public safety, without people feeling safe, they will not go out and participate in the gift that New York City has to offer,” he said, adding that he will also seek to bring funding to those things that improve quality of life, such as libraries, neighborhood community groups, parks, recreation, and after school programs.

“I’m also about helping older New Yorkers by opening more senior centers, so that they feel safe and protected,” Barsamian explained.

Barsamian also offered his perspective on the proposed The Coney Casino and Entertainment Resort, noting that opening up a venue for gambling “will ultimately destroy the community.”

“This is not just a pathway to the boardwalk and the seashore,” he said. “This is where families have lived for generations. A casino would bring with it so many difficulties, such as addiction possibilities, crime possibilities, and the potential to really cause blight.”

Southern Brooklyn’s 47th City Council district is currently occupied by Councilmember Justin Brannan, the only Brooklyn councilmember who has reached term limits.

Brannan has previously announced that he is running for citywide office as New York City comptroller.

Brannan’s chief counsel, Kayla Santosuosso, an Ohio native, civil litigation attorney, and staunch Democrat, announced in January that she is also running for the seat of the incumbent councilmember.

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.