Bernie Sanders backs Justin Brannan for NYC comptroller amid scrutiny of Brannan’s past racist and sexist remarks.

Sanders Endorses Brannan Despite Resurfaced Comments

Progressive Senator Bernie Sanders has thrown his support behind New York City councilman Justin Brannan, endorsing him in the high-profile race for New York City comptroller. Brannan, who emerged from the city’s punk rock scene and now serves as a Democratic councilmember, has centered his campaign on promises to fight corruption and advocate for working-class families. Sanders’s endorsement highlighted Brannan’s grassroots appeal and commitment to community values.

However, Brannan’s campaign has come under renewed scrutiny following the resurfacing of numerous offensive remarks he made online during the 1990s. A review of Brannan’s posts on music listservs from his years as a punk musician reveals a pattern of racist, sexist, and homophobic language, including repeated use of slurs and derogatory jokes targeting minorities, people with disabilities, and members of the LGBTQ+ community.

Online Remarks Draw Widespread Criticism

Brannan’s online comments from the late 1990s include the use of racial slurs, derogatory remarks about Asians and Puerto Ricans, and multiple instances of homophobic insults. In one exchange, he recounted shaving his head “like the Nazis,” and elsewhere mocked individuals with disabilities, comparing them to Stephen Hawking and expressing violent fantasies. These comments have been widely criticized by advocacy groups and political opponents as incompatible with the values expected of public officials.

Additionally, Brannan was implicated in a workplace bullying scandal during his tenure as a New York City government staffer. The New York Post reported that the city paid an $850,000 settlement in 2021 to resolve claims that Brannan and other employees bullied an autistic colleague. Brannan has also been accused of repeatedly using anti-gay slurs and making disparaging jokes at the expense of various minority groups.

Despite the controversy, Brannan has sought to distance himself from his past remarks, emphasizing the lessons he claims to have learned from his early years in music and city government. He has publicly stated that the punk rock community taught him the importance of supporting others and lifting up those who fall down. His campaign argues that he has consistently brought these values to his work as a city councilmember.

Election Approaches Amid Continued Scrutiny

The primary election for New York City comptroller is scheduled for June 24. Brannan is running to succeed current comptroller Brad Lander, who is campaigning for mayor. Lander was recently arrested on allegations of impeding an immigration enforcement operation. Alongside Brannan, Sanders has also endorsed Zohran Mamdani, a candidate for New York City mayor and member of the Democratic Socialists of America.

The revelations about Brannan’s past remarks have reignited debate over accountability and redemption in public service. As voters prepare to head to the polls, questions remain about whether past actions should define a candidate’s suitability for office and how political leaders respond to the scrutiny of their endorsements.