Brannan picks up big endorsement from Abbate
Justin Brannan, seeking to emerge from a crowded field of Democrats running in the party’s primary on Sept. 12 for the City Council seat being vacated by Vincent Gentile, has landed one of his most significant endorsements to date.
Assemblymember Peter Abbate, a Democrat known for his shrewd knowledge of local politics, recently announced that he’s backing Brannan for the seat in the 43rd Council District. The district covers the neighborhoods of Bay Ridge and Dyker Heights and includes parts of Bensonhurst and Bath Beach.
Abbate (D-Dyker Heights-Bensonhurst) flirted with the idea of running for the Council seat himself, but ultimately decided not to do it.
Abbate has been in the New York State Assembly since 1986 and has a reputation as a smart, savvy political campaigner. His endorsement of Brannan is seen by political observers as a signal that he firmly believes Brannan will win the primary. “This isn’t just party loyalty. Peter thinks Justin will win. Otherwise, he would just sit out the primary and not endorse anyone,” one political observer told the Brooklyn Eagle.