District 39 City Council Race: Who Will Replace Brad Lander?

PARK SLOPE, BROOKLYN — For the first time since 2013, Brooklyn's 39th District will have someone other than Brad Lander representing them in City Council.

So far, eight candidates have put their hat in the ring to replace the term-limited council member, who is vying to become the city's next comptroller. Brooklyn's 39th District — once represented by Mayor Bill de Blasio — extends over Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens, the Columbia Waterfront District, Gowanus, Park Slope, Windsor Terrace, Borough Park and Kensington.

The 2021 campaign will have some familiar faces for Brooklynites, including Lander's director of organizing and community engagement, an executive at the well-known nonprofit MoveOn and a Community Board 6 member and local activist.

Several of the candidates have already raised tens of thousands of dollars for their campaigns — the front-runner in terms of fundraising stands at almost $84,705 as of the latest campaign finance filing deadline.

Here's a look at all eight candidates:

Shahana Hanif

• Money raised: $68,422
• Hanif is a well-known local organizer who has also worked as Lander's director of organizing and community engagement, which includes running is Participatory Budgeting program. Her work also includes starting a free immigration law clinic, protecting survivors of domestic violence, helping create the Avenue C Plaza and protesting conditions at the Metropolitan Detention Center. Find out more here.

Mamnunul M Haq

• Money raised: $31,577
• Haq is a former cab driver who co-founded the New York Taxi Workers Alliance (NYTWA) and advocated for taxi drivers for 16 years. He now works as a Community Health Worker and Program Associate at NYU’s School of Medicine. Find out more here.

Patrick Johnson

• Money raised: $5,534
• Johnson is a local teacher, labor organizer and tenant organizer. He supports Democratic Socialism and lists education, criminal justice, climate justice, NYCHA reforms and housing among his campaign priorities. Find out more here.

Justin M Krebs

• Money raised: $58,191
• Krebs touts 20 years of experience as a community organizer, nonprofit leader, entrepreneur and author. He has run the national campaigns team at MoveOn for the past 5 years and most recently has organized to help neighbors in the coronavirus pandemic, including hosting "back-to-school" events and helping start the Camp Friendship Food Pantry. Find out more here.

Briget A Rein

• Money raised: $84,705
• A current member of Community Board 6 and self-described political activist, Rein works for the United Federation of Teachers and previously served as government liaison to the New York City Council. She has most recently been at the forefront of those organizing against the Gowanus rezoning. Find out more here.

Douglas Schneider

• Money raised: $46,419
• Schneider is a civil rights attorney who also serves as a district leader for the Brooklyn Democratic Party. He is also a former trustee of the Park Slope Civic Council, has served on the District Committee for Brad Lander’s participatory budgeting initiative and is a community leader at Congregation Beth Elohim. Find out more here.

Brandon West

• Money raised: $52,828
• An advocate for government transparency and accountability, West is former president of the New Kings Democrats and a Campaign Manager for the Center for Popular Democracy on their national Voting Rights and Democracy program’s campaign. He has also worked in the Mayor’s Office of Management and Budget and City Council Finance Division. Find out more here.