Justin Brannan, the Brooklyn City Council Finance Chair, has officially entered the race for New York City comptroller, joining a competitive Democratic primary ahead of the 2025 election. He aims to leverage his experience in budget negotiations to advocate for better resource allocation to essential city services, emphasizing that 'the money's there' for initiatives like universal childcare and support for public libraries. Brannan criticized Mayor Adams' administration for recent budget cuts and aims to overhaul the city's budget processes, ensuring taxpayers see a return on their investments. With his term in the City Council nearing its end, Brannan's campaign is fueled by his belief that he can reform financial management in the city. He follows other candidates like Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine and Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar, who also announced their intentions to run after the current comptroller, Brad Lander, declared a mayoral bid. Brannan has set up a fundraising account as he considers officially committing to the race based on early fundraising success.