Manhattan Borough President (BP) Mark Levine has pulled ahead as a candidate in this year’s City Comptroller race.
Levine is up against a slew of other candidates, including Brooklyn Councilmember Justin Brannan, governmental liaison Ismael Malave-Perez, and Brooklyn State Sen. Kevin Parker, as they try to replace current Comptroller Brad Lander. Queens Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar was running but dropped out of the race on Jan. 27.
Levine was endorsed by former Congressmember Charles B. Rangel and former Assemblymember Inez E. Dickens, as well as Congressmembers Adriano Espaillat and Ritchie Torres, Bronx BP Vanessa Gibson, Brooklyn BP Antonio Reynoso, and Queens BP Donovan Richards.
“Mark has always shown up for Harlem and for communities across this city that too often get left behind,” said Rangel in a statement. “He’s got the heart of a public servant and the know-how to keep our city on solid financial ground. I trust Mark to protect taxpayer dollars, invest in working families, and ensure the city government delivers for all New Yorkers, not just the privileged few.”
Levine’s campaign has received a whopping $2,716,159 in matching funds (more than $2.7 million) and $1,006,721 (more than $1 million) in private funds, according to the New York City Campaign Finance Board (NYCCFB).
“It’s an incredible honor to have the support of Rep. Rangel and Assembly- and Councilmember Dickens — true giants of public service,” said Levine in a statement. “Their leadership helped shape New York for the better and their legacies in Harlem and beyond continue to inspire. With their backing, we’re even more energized to build a campaign rooted in equity, transparency, and fiscal justice for all five boroughs.”
Brannan, who is currently City Council’s finance committee chair, is a close second in the comptroller race. In terms of fundraising, he’s raised $585,987 in private donations and $289,598 in public matching funds.
In comptroller debates, Levine and Brannan have discussed the city budget, contracts, promoting governmental transparency in a time of “economic uncertainty,” rents, and pension funds. For the most part, they agreed that the city’s pension systems and hospitals have to be safeguarded from threats under the Trump administration; the public and comptroller should have more say in the budgeting process; and budget cuts to arts, parks, and City University of New York (CUNY) should be avoided at all costs. Both candidates expressed concerns about Mayor Eric Adams’ handling of the budget.
In regard to affordable housing, Levine’s plan calls for using the municipal pension fund system to help finance building affordable housing, up to 75,000 units, over the next decade. Brannan’s plan invests pension funds into the creation of affordable housing, specifically for city employees.
Malave-Perez, one of two candidates of color in the race, has also made a splash. He was endorsed by former Assemblymember Adam Clayton Powell IV and has big support from Latino and faith communities in the Bronx, with endorsements from Sen. Rev. Ruben Diaz Sr. and Councilmember Rev. Fernando Cabrera. He’s raised $86,966 in private funds so far.