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Justin Lee Brannan, current chair of the New York City Council Finance Committee and one of the emerging faces of urban progressivism, is an atypical figure in local politics. Guitarist for hardcore bands, union activist, political strategist, and advocate for social public spending, Brannan has known how to connect with a diverse base from his native Brooklyn.
Born on October 14, 1978, in Bay Ridge, Brannan grew up in a working-class family: his mother was a teacher and his father, a record salesman. From a young age, he showed a strong interest in activism, first through music. He was the founding guitarist of the hardcore bands Indecision and Most Precious Blood, whose socially charged lyrics and "straight edge" approach already reflected his personal values.
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After partially leaving music, he worked in radio, Wall Street, and the non-profit sector, and it was there that he began to stand out as a union organizer. His jump to public service came as an advisor to then-councilman Vincent Gentile. Later, he joined the city's Department of Education, where he participated in the expansion of the universal pre-kindergarten program under the administration of Bill de Blasio. In 2017, Brannan was elected councilman for Brooklyn's 43rd district, and has since been re-elected twice, including after district redistricting. His leadership at the head of the Finance Committee positions him as one of the officials with the greatest budgetary power in the city, overseeing more than 115 billion dollars in municipal funds. He is recognized for defending social programs, public education, libraries, and measures to address the opioid crisis. In addition to his political career, Brannan is a vegetarian, an animal welfare activist, and the founder of the children's art school "The Art Room" with his wife, Leigh Holliday. In 2024, he announced his candidacy for Comptroller of the City of New York, a position that would allow him to audit municipal agencies and oversee the use of public resources. His campaign has been supported by progressive figures such as Jumaane Williams, as well as influential unions like 32BJ SEIU. With a trajectory that defies traditional molds and a support base that crosses generations and communities, Justin Brannan continues to profile himself as one of the most unique and combative voices on the New York political scene.
