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Mark Levine wins NYC comptroller race, will replace Brad Lander
By
David Brand
Published Nov 4, 2025
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By
David Brand
Published Nov 4, 2025
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Democrat Mark Levine has won the race to become New York City’s next comptroller, defeating his Republican opponent Peter Kefalas on Tuesday, according to the Associated Press, which called the race around 9:40 p.m.
Levine, the current Manhattan borough president, will replace outgoing comptroller Brad Lander, who declined to run for re-election ahead of his unsuccessful bid for mayor.
Levine has pledged to use the city pension system to invest in affordable housing and to force the city to make timely payments to nonprofit service providers. He has also urged the city to increase its reserves, especially with federal budget cuts hitting New York City.
The comptroller acts as the city’s fiscal watchdog, overseeing pension funds, analyzing the budget and conducting audits of agencies and spending. The officeholder often has a contentious relationship with the mayor while scrutinizing city policies and spending.
That dynamic could put him at odds with the next mayor, Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani, who has pledged to increase social programs.
Levine, 56, previously represented Manhattan’s Upper West Side and Morningside Heights in the City Council from 2014 to 2021. He defeated Councilmember Justin Brannan of Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, in the Democratic primary.
Kefalas, a financial consultant from Queens, defeated Danniel Maio in the Republican primary.
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David Brand
David is a reporter covering housing for Gothamist and WNYC. Got a tip? Email [email protected] or Signal 908-310-3960.
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