UAW Region 9A backs Justin Brannan for comptroller

New York City Council Member Justin Brannan is continuing to grow his support among progressives for his comptroller campaign, securing an endorsement from a union that represents thousands of public defenders, museum and nonprofit staffers, auto workers and beyond. 

United Auto Workers Region 9A – a progressive labor union representing a diverse array of New York City workers more than 20,000 strong – announced its support for Brannan Tuesday, pointing to his support for labor rights, economic opportunity and better governance.

“Justin Brannan has shown up for our members time and again,” said Brandon Mancilla, director of UAW Region 9A, in a statement. “From standing with striking workers to fighting for universal childcare and funding for city services, Justin has made it clear that he shares our values and will be a fierce advocate for working people as comptroller. Right now, we need leaders who won’t back down from a fight – and that’s he’s the right choice to safeguard the city’s finances and make sure the budget benefits New York's workers."

Brannan’s main Democratic primary competition is Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine, who has been endorsed by multiple influential members of Congress and the powerful public employees union District Council 37.

A proud resident of Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, Brannan represents one of the few swingy City Council districts in the city. While he has described himself as a moderate and even left the City Council’s Progressive Caucus in 2023, he’s been coalescing support from the left in recent weeks – a testament perhaps to the brand he’s built while negotiating the city budget as chair of the council’s finance committee. He’s recently netted endorsements from the Working Families Party, democratic socialist lawmakers state Sens. Julia Salazar and Jabari Brisport, Assembly Members Phara Souffrant Forrest, Emily Gallagher and Claire Valdez, and a number of progressive City Council members. 

Brannan is behind Levine in fundraising, but he’s not being counted out. He’s also snagged nods from major unions 32BJ SEIU, the Hotel and Gaming Trades Council and other electeds like Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Rep. Nydia Velazquez.