By:  Ariella Haviv

In a development poised to reshape the political landscape of New York City’s 2025 election cycle, Justin Brannan, chair of the City Council’s powerful Finance Committee and a leading candidate for City Comptroller, has secured a pivotal endorsement from the city’s largest Orthodox Jewish voting blocs, led by the influential Satmar community of Williamsburg. The endorsement, reported by VIN News on Wednesday, marks a significant consolidation of support from Brooklyn’s deeply rooted Hasidic congregations, a constituency known for its disciplined electoral turnout and strategic political clout.

The endorsement was formally announced on Wednesday by Rabbi David Niederman, Executive Director of the United Jewish Organizations of Williamsburg (UJO), whose leadership in Orthodox civic affairs spans more than three decades. In an impassioned statement carried by VIN News, Rabbi Niederman praised Brannan as “a sincere ally and consistent advocate for our values and independence,” citing his dedication to safeguarding religious rights and supporting the community’s educational and cultural institutions.

“As someone who has dedicated my life to serving and protecting the needs of our community, I am proud to endorse Justin Brannan for Comptroller,” said Rabbi Niederman. “He has always listened with sincerity and acted with integrity, standing up for our safety, independence, and values. I urge all members of our community to support him in this important election.”

This endorsement is not limited to the Satmar alone. According to the information provided in the VIN News report, the broader coalition includes prominent Hasidic sects such as Pupa, Viznitz, Vien, Tzelim, Nitra, Krasna, Skver, and Klausenburg—communities that, when unified, represent one of the most potent voting blocs in New York’s municipal politics.

Brannan, a Democrat from Bay Ridge and long viewed as a pragmatic progressive, has built a reputation as a policy-focused legislator who maintains strong lines of communication with diverse communities across the city. His engagement with Orthodox leaders—particularly on issues of education funding, social service access, and religious autonomy—has earned him trust in neighborhoods often wary of broader city politics.

In his response to the endorsement, Brannan expressed deep gratitude, noting both the symbolic and practical weight the coalition carries.

“I am deeply honored to receive the endorsement of the Satmar community and this major coalition with Pupa, Viznitz, Vien, Tzelim, Nitra, Krasna, Skver, and Klausenburg, whose commitment to faith, family, and service strengthens the fabric of our city,” Brannan said, as reported by VIN News.

He continued: “Rabbi Niederman’s decades of leadership and advocacy for social services have uplifted tens of thousands, and his support means the world to me. As Comptroller, I will work every day to ensure the Jewish community—and all communities—feel safe, respected, and protected in New York City.”

The weight of this endorsement is magnified by Rabbi Niederman’s towering stature in Brooklyn’s civic and religious affairs. Since assuming leadership of UJO in 1989, he has transformed the organization into a comprehensive infrastructure of social services supporting over 70,000 individuals, offering programs in housing, healthcare, legal aid, and education. His dual role as a spiritual leader and political liaison has made him one of the most respected Jewish figures in New York’s public sphere.

As the VIN News report noted, Rabbi Niederman also spearheads initiatives through Rav Tov, an international Jewish humanitarian organization focused on religious freedom, heritage protection, and crime prevention, particularly amid rising incidents of antisemitism in New York and abroad.

“Rabbi Niederman’s backing is never just symbolic,” a Brooklyn political operative told VIN News. “When he puts his name on a candidate, it reflects real engagement, real mobilization, and real trust.”

With the Comptroller’s office wielding significant influence over city finances, pension funds, and contract oversight, the role has become a crucial checkpoint in municipal governance. For communities concerned with educational subsidies, nonprofit funding, and religious accommodations, the Comptroller can either be a gatekeeper or a gateway.

Brannan’s candidacy, bolstered by this endorsement, is likely to resonate with other traditionally tight-knit communities that seek both fiscal oversight and cultural respect from citywide officeholders.

“The right to live according to one’s faith, free from fear or interference, is a fundamental promise of this city,” Brannan told VIN News. “I look forward to continuing our partnership to safeguard the dignity and well-being of this vibrant community.”

Historically, the Satmar-led bloc, along with aligned Hasidic groups, has demonstrated remarkable electoral discipline, particularly in low-turnout primaries and down-ballot races where their support can be decisive. As the VIN News report pointed out, the unity among these sects in backing Brannan could provide a powerful base of support, particularly in swing neighborhoods across Brooklyn and Queens.

For Brannan, whose brand of progressive governance is tempered by neighborhood-level pragmatism, the endorsement is more than a political win—it is a validation of years spent building bridges, not just coalitions.

With the 2025 citywide races heating up and voter alignments beginning to crystallize, this alliance between Justin Brannan and Brooklyn’s Orthodox Jewish leadership, may well prove to be a defining axis of influence in the contest for New York City Comptroller.