NYC Comptroller candidate Brian Benjamin nets endorsement from former Rep. Charles Rangel
State Sen. Brian Benjamin, a son of Harlem who’s running for city comptroller, has scored an endorsement from former U.S. Rep. Charles Rangel, the venerable Harlem leader who retired from Congress four years ago.
The nod could give Benjamin (D-Harlem) a boost among Black voters as he works to elevate his profile in the race to become the city’s top fiscal watchdog.
Rangel, nicknamed the “Lion of Lenox Avenue” during his 46-year career on Capitol Hill, joins former Gov. David Paterson, state Sen. John Liu (D-Queens) and several Brooklyn politicians who have backed Benjamin.
“Charlie Rangel is one of the most influential leaders of our lifetime, and having his support behind my candidacy for city Comptroller is an enormous honor,” Benjamin said in a statement. “I hope to carry on his legacy as a fighter for our city’s most vulnerable.”
The race for comptroller has taken on added urgency as the city looks to recover from the pandemic and faces down looming budget gaps.
The city’s comptroller is responsible for authorizing public borrowing, reviewing contracts and watching over the city’s pensions.
Benjamin, a former Morgan Stanley investment adviser, is running on a promise to broaden oversight of the NYPD and a proposal to create a public bank in New York City. He currently serves as the chairman of the state Senate’s Revenue and Budget Committee.
“Senator Brian Benjamin is the most qualified candidate to be the next Comptroller and I am proud to support him in this race” Rangel, 90, said in a statement. “I have contributed to his campaign and I look forward to his leadership.”
The Democratic primary is set for June 22.
Benjamin is facing off against City Council Speaker Corey Johnson, state Sen. Kevin Parker (D-Brooklyn), Assemblyman David Weprin (D-Queens), Councilman Brad Lander (D-Brooklyn), former CNBC commentator Michelle Caruso-Cabrera, and Zach Iscol, a former Marine.
Johnson has led in limited Democratic primary polling; the primary is expected to determine the next comptroller.
The current comptroller, Scott Stringer, is running for mayor.
Rangel endorsed Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams in the mayoral race.
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