One of the FDNY’s powerful unions is backing City Councilman Justin Brannan in the two-way race for the Democratic primary for Big Apple comptroller, The Post has learned.
“We know Justin will always have our backs, and that’s why we’re proud to endorse him for Comptroller,” Uniformed Firefighters Association President Andy Ansbro wrote in a statement of the Brooklyn pol.
“Justin understands that every second counts in an emergency, and that’s why he’s been a fierce advocate for increasing FDNY funding to restore the fifth firefighter on all engine companies,” Ansbro said.
The 20,000-member UFA, which voted last week on its slate of endorsements, is the first influential union to weigh in on the city comptroller’s race.
The comptroller’s job as the Big Apple’s fiscal watchdog wields tremendous power over city workers’ pension funds, making the support from the fire union notable.
“I’m incredibly proud to have the support of the Uniformed Firefighters Association,” Brannan said. “More firefighters on the front lines means faster response times and safer outcomes for both firefighters and the New Yorkers they protect. We owe it to them and to every New Yorker to make sure our firefighters have what they need to save lives.”
Brannan is squaring off against Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine, who has nabbed a few dozen endorsements, including a number of prominent lawmakers.
Brooklyn City Councilwoman Susan Zhuang, who was charged with biting a cop during a rally outside a homeless shelter, most recently backed Levine.
The other FDNY union, the Uniformed Fire Officers Association, has not yet backed a candidate in the primary, which is scheduled for June 24.
