Rep. Nydia Velázquez, a powerbroker of Brooklyn and Queens politics, is throwing her weight behind Justin Brannan’s city comptroller run, giving him his first endorsement from a member of New York’s congressional delegation.
In a statement to the Daily News announcing her endorsement, Velázquez credited Brannan’s push as City Council Finance Committee chairman to reverse budget cuts to libraries and other public services enacted by Mayor Adams over the past few years.
“Justin didn’t just speak up, he led the charge to restore that funding and won … I’ve seen firsthand how hard he fights for working families, especially in neighborhoods that have too often been overlooked,” said Velázquez, who has represented a section of Brooklyn and Queens in the U.S. House of Representatives for more than three decades.
“Justin has the backbone, the values, and the vision to make sure our city’s budget reflects the priorities of the people — not the powerful. I’m proud to endorse Justin Brannan because I know he’ll always put working New Yorkers first.”
Brannan, whose Council district spans a part of Brooklyn that includes Coney Island, is facing off against Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine in the June 24 Democratic comptroller primary. Levine has to date raised more money than Brannan for his comptroller run and racked up high-profile endorsements, too, including from Rep. Adriano Espaillat, who’s highly influential in Manhattan politics.
Neither Espaillat nor Velazquez have endorsed yet in the June 24 Democratic mayoral primary, which has been upended by incumbent Eric Adams’ corruption indictment and a late entry into the race from ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo. The two congressional lawmakers’ endorsements in the down-ballot comptroller race, though, could indicate they’re nearing decisions on who to back in the mayoral race, too.