Gothamist

A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.

Gothamist

WNYC Listen Live

Donate

 

 

News

Mark Levine leads Democratic primary for NYC comptroller as Justin Brannan concedes

By

David Brand

Published Jun 24, 2025

Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail

Never miss a story

 Email address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .

Mark Levine holds a microphone while wearing a grey suit and speaking at The Center at West Park.

 

Lev Radin / Pacific Press / LightRocket via Getty Images

By

David Brand

Published Jun 24, 2025

Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail

We rely on your support to make local news available to all

Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

In New York City’s Democratic primary for comptroller, the punk rock councilmember conceded defeat to the straight-laced borough president.

As of late Tuesday night, Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine held a decisive lead over Councilmember Justin Brannan, who conceded the race. With about 91% of votes counted, Levine had just over 48% to Brannan’s 33.6%.

The contest centered on candidates’ plans to invest in affordable housing and stand up to President Donald Trump. But with little daylight between Levine and Brannan’s policy proposals, the race largely boiled down to which personality voters preferred.

Comptroller candidate Justin Brannan at a Working Families Party rally.

MADISON SWART/Hans Lucas/AFP via Getty Images

Brannan pitched himself as a fighter from Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, who played in several noted punk rock bands. Levine, meanwhile, touted his background as a bilingual educator who launched a local credit union and served in the council before he was elected borough president.

The councilmember, who chairs the City Council’s Finance Committee, received support from the progressive wing of the Democratic Party, while Levine tacked to the center.

Levine encouraged the city to increase its reserves, while Brannan called for more spending to expand childcare and to support low-income New Yorkers who could lose benefits or other federally funded services.

The comptroller serves as the city’s fiscal watchdog, managing its pension funds, scrutinizing the budget and auditing municipal agencies. The officeholder also typically acts as a foil to the mayor, analyzing spending decisions and examining contracts.

During their campaigns, both focused on using the comptroller’s oversight of the city pension system to invest in affordable housing. They each pledged to take on the Trump administration and cushion the impact of federal cuts on the five boroughs.

The race attracted millions in campaign contributions and public matching funds.

Levine will face Republican nominee Peter Kefalas, a journalist and small business owner, in the general election.

City procurement analyst Ismael Malave Perez finished third in the Democratic primary, while State Sen. Kevin Parker of Brooklyn rounded out the field.

Tagged

Politics

new york city

David Brand

David is a reporter covering housing for Gothamist and WNYC. Got a tip? Email [email protected] or Signal 908-310-3960.

Read more

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

MORE news

Central Park birders, others remember 63-year-old woman killed in park

People who said they knew her described her as an artist and a familiar presence in the Ramble.

By

Charles Lane

Published Sep 28, 2026 at 7:04 p.m. ET

Dump truck driver hits and kills cyclist on 34th Street in Midtown, NYPD says

It's the latest in a string of hit-and-run deaths in the city in recent months.

By

Liam Quigley

News

Dump truck driver hits and kills cyclist on 34th Street in Midtown, NYPD says

It's the latest in a string of hit-and-run deaths in the city in recent months.

By

Liam Quigley

New ingredient mandated for Latin American kitchen, restaurant plates in NJ

By

Arya Sundaram

A Brooklyn jail cell filled with smoke. The emergency button failed, a lawyer said.

By

Samantha Max

Crews launch tunnel machines to dig first new Hudson River rail tunnels since 1910

By

Michael Sol Warren

Never miss a story

Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.

Sign upEmail address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .