Justin Brannan

Before entering politics, Justin Brannan was a hardcore punk guitarist for the bands Indecision from 1993 to 2000 and Most Precious Blood from 2000 onwards.[6] Both bands were known for their outspoken commitment to social justice and vegetarianism. The band’s messages focused on social justice, human rights, environmentalism, relationships, individuality and espousing straight-edge views against drugs, alcohol and promiscuous sex.[8][9][10]

Indecision is widely known for their song "Hallowed be Thy Name". The song features a lyric ("For Those I Love I Will Sacrifice") wrote by Brannan when he was sixteen years old that fans across the world have turned into a tattoo.[9][11] Most famously, an image of the tattoo was seen on the ribs of a 19-year-old US Army infantryman named Kyle Hockenberry being treated in a medevac helicopter following an explosion that cost him both of his legs and one arm.[12] The photo was taken for a military newspaper and won photographer Laura Rauch an award from the Society of Professional Journalists.[7][12][13][9][14] Brannan also works closely with the 9/11 Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation commemorating the heroes of 9/11 and "Building for America’s Bravest", a program that constructs Smart Homes for military returning home with devastating injuries.

Brannan also founded the deathgrind band Caninus, known for using two dogs as vocalists.[15]

Brannan was a touring punk rock musician before he landed at Bear Stearns,[16] working his way up as a clerk in their wealth management division,[17] and working as a financier[18] in the venture capital space raising money for start-up alternative energy companies based in Silicon Valley. He later worked as a fundraising consultant for a number of non-profit humanitarian organizations in New York City.

In 2017, Brannan won the Democratic primary to replace Gentile in the 43rd district. Brannan won 39% of the vote in a five-way race, narrowly beating Khader El-Yateem, who garnered 31% of the vote,[19] by 682 votes.[20]

Brannan drew criticism during the campaign for taking money from real estate interests.[21] Contributors to Brannan's campaign include Sal Raziano of the real estate firm Casandra Properties, James Vavas of Vavas Insurance and Financial Services, and Anthony Constantinople of Constantinople & Vallone, a lobbying firm currently under investigation for conflicts of interest and payroll discrepancies surrounding its Sports & Arts program at a Lower East Side public school.[22]

During the campaign, several concerned citizens filed a complaint with the New York City Campaign Finance Board in which they accused Brannan of neglecting to disclose campaign expenses when he failed to alert election regulators that Gentile’s campaign for Brooklyn DA paid the rent for Brannan’s campaign office.[23]

In the general election, Brannan won with 51% of the vote to the Republican candidate, John Quaglione's 47%. Brannan won by a slightly smaller margin in the 2021 election.

In May 2021, a former aide to ex-City Councilman Vincent Gentile, Michael Bistreich, settled a lawsuit with New York City for $850,000 where he alleged Justin Brannan bullied him and left decapitated teddy bears on his desk and tormented him over his autism. Judge Verna Saunders ultimately found Bistreich had established a strong case for discrimination. [24][25]

In June 2023, 72-year-old Democratic District Leader Charles Ragusa filed an ethics complaint with the New York City Council alleging that Justin Brannan threatened him. According to Charles Ragusa, “Council Member Brannan called me at my home and hurled abusive and threatening language at me with appalling words such as: `go f##k yourself motherf##ker,’ and `your days are numbered, motherf##er.'

He also allegedly repeated the words that `[your] fu##ing days are numbered’ multiple times,” Ragusa said. A representative for Justin Brannan confirmed the councilman threatened to oust Ragusa from his party leadership position but disputed the use of expletives. [26]