By: Hal C Clarke

Brooklyn Councilwoman Susan Zhuang, who made headlines last year after allegedly biting a police officer during a tense protest against a homeless shelter, has formally endorsed Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine in the Democratic primary for New York City comptroller, according to the New York Post.

Zhuang, a first-term council member representing southern Brooklyn, has also begun raising funds for Levine’s campaign, particularly within the Chinese American community. Her endorsement could influence a key voting bloc, though it has not been without controversy.

Levine is facing off against Brooklyn Councilman Justin Brannan in what is expected to be a competitive primary. However, not everyone in the Democratic Party welcomes Zhuang’s involvement.

“I wouldn’t seek or accept her endorsement,” an unnamed Brooklyn Democrat told the Post, citing concerns over her recent legal troubles.

Zhuang, 39, remains undeterred by the criticism and the criminal charges she faces. “I do stand up for people I care about. My influence is not only in my district but all over the city,” she said.

Her district includes Bensonhurst, Sunset Park, Dyker Heights, and a portion of Borough Park, areas with large Asian-American populations. She has built a strong following, particularly among Chinese-American activists, and is now expanding her political reach beyond Brooklyn.

As part of her support for Levine, Zhuang is helping coordinate a Lunar New Year fundraiser in Manhattan’s Chinatown this Friday. Tickets for the event range from $100 to $500, and she claims 250 attendees have already committed to joining.

Zhuang’s endorsement carries weight among Asian-American voters, especially given Levine’s stance on specialized high school admissions. She said Levine assured her that he supports the current single-test admissions policy for New York City’s elite high schools, including Stuyvesant, Brooklyn Technical, and Bronx Science. This issue is crucial to many Asian-American parents who have opposed past efforts to change the system.

However, Levine’s history on the matter is complicated. While serving on the City Council, he co-sponsored a 2014 resolution supporting a shift away from the single-test system toward a more holistic admissions process, citing concerns over low Black and Latino enrollment. His campaign now clarifies that the resolution never sought to eliminate the test outright and that he removed his name from it in 2017.

Zhuang’s legal troubles stem from her arrest on July 17 at a protest in Bensonhurst organized by “Residents Against Homeless Shelters.” She was charged with second-degree and third-degree assault, along with resisting arrest. Law enforcement sources allege she tried to stop officers from arresting another protester who was pushing police barricades, and in the process, bit Deputy Chief of Patrol Borough Brooklyn South Frank DiGiacomo on the arm.

Despite the controversy, Levine’s campaign has welcomed her support.

“Mark is proud to have built the largest coalition of Democratic support in any race in New York City—with nearly 100 endorsements and counting,” said campaign spokesperson Annabel Lassally. She reiterated that Levine has consistently supported specialized high schools and rigorous academic standards.

Zhuang and Brannan have long been members of opposing Democratic factions in Brooklyn.