Justin Brannan
photo by Jason Jamal Nakleh

Indecision's Justin Brannan elected into New York City Council

Danica Roem isn’t the only musician in heavy music who won a state election yesterday. Bay Ridge native Justin Brannan of Indecision and Most Precious Blood was elected as a Democratic official for a four-year term in the New York City Council, Lambgoat reports. He will represent District 43, including the neighborhoods of Bay Ridge, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach, and Dyker Heights.

Before running for office, Brannan served as the Director of Communications and Legislative Affairs for Council member Vincent J. Gentile, who he is replacing.

Brannan won the election with a very narrow lead, and Kings County Politics asked Brannan how he plans to reach those who didn’t vote for him. He replied, “That’s the challenge, now I have to represent people that didn’t vote for me too. But I understand, and I hear them too and part of my vision is to represent everyone equally. That includes everyone that didn’t vote for me.”

Bklyner also reported on Brannan’s victory speech:

“This is your victory,” Brannan told a packed room of cheering supporters at Cebu Bar & Bistro in Bay Ridge shortly after 10:30 PM on Thursday, after Quaglione had conceded. “Real change comes from the ground up, and that is what we did tonight.”

After thanking his wife, Leigh, and mother, Mary, Brannan acknowledged the support he received from unions, including the Transit Workers Union, Teamsters, CFW, and 32BJ, many of whose members were in attendance at the election party.

He also thanked Rev. Khader El-Yateem, the local pastor whom Brannan beat in the Democratic primary in September, and who endorsed Brannan in recent weeks. Before Brannan’s remarks, El-Yateem addressed the crowd, saying that Brannan would ensure a seat at the table for all.

With regards to District 43’s diverse demographic, he said, “I don’t care if you’ve been here since birth or you’ve been here since breakfast.” And he later added one more promise, “I’m never going to stop listening, and I’m never going to stop fighting.”