Shahana Hanif prevails in tough City Council primary fight

Campaign volunteers burst into cheers at a packed bar in Park Slope when the news flashed across their phones that Shahana Hanif was the projected winner in the primary race for Brooklyn’s 39th City Council District. 

Less than an hour after polls closed, it was clear that the progressive incumbent would cruise to an easy victory over a well-funded challenge from Maya Kornberg in the district that stretches from Park Slope to the Columbia Street waterfront, and includes Windsor Terrace, Kensington and part of Borough Park.

At the end of the night, with more than 90% of first-choice votes counted, Hanif led Kornberg by about 44 points.

The chair of the City Council’s Progressive Caucus was greeted like a conquering hero as she walked into the pub, making her way through a sea of hands holding slices of pizza to get to a microphone at the back of the room.

Hanif returned the applause for everyone who worked on her campaign. “We stood up against corporate attacks and stood up against billionaire James Dolan. We showed that Brooklyn can never be bought,” Hanif told the celebratory crowd. 

Throughout her last day of campaigning, Hanif talked about being at a turning point in New York City leadership, an idea that she hammered home in her victory speech as it became clear Zohran Mamdani – who she endorsed – had pulled off an upset victory against Andrew Cuomo in the mayoral primary. “We are in a moment where we’re charting a new politics in our city,” Hanif said as she ran down a list of priorities that she promised to fight for with the help of other progressives - universal child care, a freeze on rent for rent stabilized apartments, more funding for public school - and said they’d stand up to President Donald Trump. She shouted into the mic, “We are going to send ICE packing,” a declaration that prompted another deafening roar from the crowd.

In the months leading up to election day, both Hanif and Kornberg focused on local issues, discussing affordable housing, public schools, safe streets and economic equity. But geopolitics dominated the conversation around the race.

After the start of the war in Gaza, some Jewish New Yorkers criticized Hanif for a now-deleted post on her account that said, “The root cause of this war is the illegal, immoral, and unjust occupation of the Palestinian people." A few days later, Hanif was one of two lawmakers arrested at a protest in Manhattan where organizers called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. 

Some Jewish groups stood by Hanif, including Jews For Racial & Economic Justice and the Jewish Voice for Peace Action Fund. Other Jewish voters organized to support Kornberg.

The pro-Israel group Solidarity PAC endorsed Kornberg and six other City Council candidates. A grassroots organization, Brooklyn BridgeBuilders, formed to oppose Hanif’s reelection. They raised concerns about Hanif’s position on Israel and her record on antisemitism. Rep. Ritchie Torres spoke at that PAC’s first fundraiser at the Montauk Club in Park Slope, but didn’t give a formal endorsement. Campaign finance filings showed that many of the maximum allowable donations to Kornberg’s campaign came from people outside of the Brooklyn council district, and as far away as California.

Throughout the campaign, Hanif defended her record on fighting antisemitism and combating hate in all its forms, citing instances when she spoke out against hatred and bigotry. In late 2023, she introduced a bill to combat antisemitism in New York. The bill followed criticism from  some members of New York’s Jewish community after she voted against a resolution to create an “End Jew Hatred Day” in New York. Hanif explained her stance, saying she was deeply troubled by some national organizations backing the measure, pointing to ties to far-right politicians who promoted hateful rhetoric.

Hanif’s bid for reelection had support from groups advocating on other issues. City & State reported that Abundant New York, a pro-housing development organization, committed $100,000, and the organization People for Public Space dedicated $50,000 to support Hanif. Outside money continued to pour into the local election in support of Kornberg as well, including over $100,000 from the Uber New York PAC.

“We defeated Uber,” Hanif shouted into the microphone during the election night celebration.

Hanif picked up endorsements from both Mamdani and Brad Lander - she worked as Lander’s community engagement director when he represented the same district - and a stamp of approval from Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. 

When asked about what Mamdani’s lack of management experience  could mean for the city if he were to become mayor, Hanif brushed off the concerns. “I think we’re looking at a new New York City. Zohran Mamadani led an inspirational, people-power campaign,” which Hanif said would inspire people to want to serve the city and change it for the better.