Harlem's Brian Benjamin Launches Campaign For City Comptroller

HARLEM, NY — Brian Benjamin, a state senator representing Harlem, officially launched his campaign for New York City Comptroller on Thursday, rolling out a number of neighborhood endorsements and pledging to use the office to advance progressive goals.

Benjamin, a Democrat who has represented Harlem in the State Senate since 2017, first filed paperwork last fall to run for comptroller, the city's top fiscal officer.

He has touted his finance-heavy background, serving as chair of the senate's budget and revenues committee and having previously worked in finance and real estate before entering politics.

"I will be ready on day one to zealously protect the retirements of hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers, and to use the position of Comptroller to advance progressive ideals of justice and equity for all," Benjamin said at Thursday's launch at Frederick Douglass Circle, referring to the comptroller's role as custodian of city pension funds.

The current comptroller, Scott Stringer, is term-limited and running for mayor.

Three other lawmakers are currently in the running for next year's Democratic primary for comptroller: Brooklyn City Councilmember Brad Lander, Brooklyn State Senator Kevin Parker, and Queens State Assemblyman David Weprin.

Here, at the meeting place of two great neighborhoods, we can see the stark differences between how #COVID19 has affected us & how the recovery has been undertaken. I’m running for New York City Comptroller because I believe we have to ensure that every NYC neighborhood thrives. pic.twitter.com/PmRGMQiYoe
— Senator Brian Benjamin (@NYSenBenjamin) October 15, 2020

According to city campaign finance data, Benjamin has raised the second-most money of anyone in the comptroller's race: over $462,000, trailing Lander, who had raised more than $613,000 through July 11, the most recent public filing period.

On his campaign website, Benjamin pledges to reinvest the city's pension funds in renewable energy and affordable housing companies, conduct rigorous oversight of city agencies, and push companies to improve their gender and ethnic diversity.

Also on Thursday, Benjamin was endorsed by a number of local officeholders, including councilmembers Diana Ayala and Bill Perkins, Assemblymembers Michael Blake and Al Taylor and State Senator Robert Jackson. Community leaders lining up behind Benjamin include Pastor Michael Waldrond of the First Corinthian Baptist Church and Hazel Dukes, President of the NAACP New York State Conference.

Benjamin is still running for re-election to his State Senate seat this fall, facing Republican Oz Sultan in the Nov. 3 general election. His 30th Senate District also covers parts of Morningside Heights and the Upper West Side.