On the heels of snagging an endorsement from U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer (D) and primary opponent, the Rev. Khader El-Yateem last week, Justin Brannan (D-Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach) ) candidate for the city council seat in the 43rd district also turned a key player of Southern Brooklyn politics – City Council Member Mark Treyger (D-Bensonhurst, Coney Island, Gravesend).
During the city council primary, Treyger backed the District Leader of the 47th Assembly district, Nancy Tong, and co-president along with Treyger of the United Progressive Democratic Club (UPDC). Treyger’s gesture to get behind Brannan may come as a surprise considering the long-standing Democratic club rivalry in Southern Brooklyn between UPDC and Brannan’s Bay Ridge Democrats Club.
“I am excited to support Justin Brannan to lead the 43rd District on the City Council,” said Treyger. “I appreciate his willingness to roll up his sleeves and get things done and we need more leaders like that in our local government. We will work closely to better the lives of the people who call Southern Brooklyn home.”
The feud between the two South Brooklyn political groups reaches as far back as 2015 when Assemblymember Bill Colton (D-Bath Beach, Bensonhurst) and 43rd District City Councilmember Vincent Gentile (D) went head-to-head to run for Congress against the Republican candidate and then Staten Island District Attorney, Dan Donovan. Colton eventually dropped out of the race pitting Gentile against Donovan, with Donovan ultimately winning the seat to replace Michael Grimm’s who vacated the seat because of tax fraud.
The feud further escalated when Treyger beat out Chris McCreight for district leader in the 47th Assembly district. McCreight who co-founded with Brannan the Bay Ridge Democrats club has served as a volunteer and close advisor to Brannan’s primary run for city council.
But the show of support has been abuzz since mid-September when the Treyger told KCP Brannan had reached out to him following the primary.
“We are in the process of setting up a meeting to discuss issues that are pertinent to the district,” said Treyger at the time. “We run issue oriented campaigns that are very important to our residents, so I look forward meeting with him.”
Brannan has since posted photos with Treyger on Twitter signaling the two were at least in talks. Now six weeks later and at the homestretch to the general election where Brannan will face off with his Republican candidate John Quaglione, the candidate has connected with one of the most intricate parts of the Southern Brooklyn puzzle.
“I am proud to have Councilmember Treyger’s support,” said Brannan. “He is a hardworking and dedicated member of the City Council and he truly listens to the needs of the community.
“Councilmember Treyger’s record shows he can produce results when it comes to fighting for stronger schools, better transportation and safer streets. I look forward to working together on the City Council.”
