The two major unions representing firefighters and fire officers in New York City backed Brooklyn Councilmember Justin Brannan on Tuesday, as he runs for reelection in Bay Ridge, Bensonhurst and Dyker Heights.
The Uniformed Firefighters Association and Fire Officers Association announced their endorsement of Brannan at a rally in front of Engine Company 242 on Fifth Avenue in Brannan’s District 43.
“Justin has been an advocate for the firefighters in our companies his entire time on the City Council, and we think he should be re-elected and continue to serve not the public — not just his district which he serves so well, but also the rest of the city,” Jim McCarthy, president of FDNY-UFOA, told Brooklyn Paper. “He’s everything we look for in a City Councilmember.”
Brannan, who has represented the district since 2018 and is also running to be the Council Speaker, called the endorsement an honor.
“This one is really meaningful to me,” he said on Oct. 19. “When others run out, they run in — no questions asked. I will always fight to ensure our city does right by these men and women for the sacrifices they make on a daily basis to keep us safe.”
Brannan is locked in a race against Republican challenger Brian Fox for the general election on Nov. 2, with early voting set to begin this weekend. The Bay Ridge native has worked to angle himself as a pro-labor politician through his years on the Council, earning him the endorsements of many of the city’s unions.
“Justin has always listened to us,” said Andy Ansbro, president of FDNY-UFA. “It’s just amazing to have the opportunity to endorse somebody now who’s been listening to my ideas for all these years — and I mean really listening.”
