Mark Levine officially sets sights on city comptroller race

Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine officially filed to fundraise for city comptroller in the 2025 race.

“We’re exploring at this point. No big, formal, splashy announcement yet. But I am incredibly passionate about the future of the city,” he said.

Levine’s move comes just over a week after current City Comptroller Brad Lander opened the field by announcing his bid for mayor.

“I’m interested in this opportunity because I believe the comptroller’s office has an important impact on ensuring the efficiency of government and delivering on the things that matter for regular New Yorkers,” Levine said.

Levine said some of his top concerns are affordability and housing.

As the top fiscal watchdog for the city, the city comptroller’s office at times can be a natural foil to the mayor.

“My view in every job I have, including the one I currently occupy, is to partner with the mayor when I support his efforts, and to push back when I don’t,” Levine said. “I fight for the people I represent, and I am not about deferring to anybody or needlessly antagonizing anybody.”

Already in the comptroller race is Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar.

The Queens lawmaker has become a staple at many of Mayor Eric Adams’ events, appearing at his side.

On Thursday, she welcomed the challenge saying.

“Every win I have ever had has been against all odds. I welcome the challenge because we live in the world’s greatest democracy, one that my immigrant parents left everything for to be a part of. Everyone should be able to run.,” Rajkumar said.

Another candidate said to be looking at a potential run for city comptroller is Councilman Justin Brannan of Brooklyn. He is term-limited at the end of 2025.

And with Levine in the race for city comptroller, that then opens his seat as well.

Councilman Keith Powers, who is also term-limited, is said to be mulling a run for Manhattan borough president.

“Now with the mayor’s office as a possible target, guess what, there’s going to be all kinds of opportunities, borough president, comptroller and should Jumaane Williams go some place, public advocate,” Hank Sheinkopf, a longtime political consultant said.

Sheinkopf said starting a campaign early allows time for voters to get to know a candidate better.

“The pregame show which is going on right now is rather important, because in a complicated field with lots of candidates and all kinds of offices it’s important to figure out which endorsements and what devices you can use to separate yourself out from your opponents,” he said.

As for the city comptroller’s race, Sheinkopf had a piece of advice.

“They’re won generally by finding one issue you can drive because people aren’t paying attention to anything except, for guess what, the mayor.,” he said.

One other name that was floated as a possible mayoral or city comptroller challenger was Antonio Reynosos. He told NY1 Friday he plans on staying put as Brooklyn borough president.

Primary Day isn’t until June 2025.