Bernie Sanders Backs Justin Brannan, Ex-Punk Rocker with Controversial Past, for NYC Comptroller

In a surprising twist ahead of the New York City primary election on June 24, 2025, progressive icon Sen. Bernie Sanders has thrown his support behind Justin Brannan, a Democratic candidate for city comptroller with a controversial past as a punk rock musician. Brannan, currently a New York City councilman, is campaigning on a platform of fighting corruption and championing the working class, values he claims stem from his days in the music scene where community meant lifting each other up.

However, Brannan’s past paints a starkly different picture. In the late 1990s, his online posts on music listservs included racist, sexist, and homophobic remarks that have resurfaced, raising eyebrows. From mocking Puerto Ricans and Asians to using racial slurs and derogatory language toward disabled individuals, Brannan’s old comments clash sharply with the progressive ideals Sanders endorses. Notably, in a 1998 post, he referenced keeping his head shaved “like the Nazis” and made violent remarks, while in 1999, he used the N-word and mocked actor Yaphet Kotto. Brannan was also implicated in a 2021 case where he and others allegedly bullied an autistic city employee, resulting in an $850,000 settlement.

Sanders, known for his unwavering commitment to social justice, has also endorsed Zohran Mamdani, a Democratic Socialist running for NYC mayor, signaling a push to unify progressive voters in a crowded primary. Brannan is vying to replace current comptroller Brad Lander, who is now running for mayor amid his own legal troubles. Neither Sanders nor Brannan has commented on the controversy, leaving voters to grapple with the disconnect between Brannan’s past and his current campaign promises.

As New Yorkers head to the polls, this endorsement raises questions about the balance between redemption and accountability in politics, especially in a city craving authentic leadership.