In the 47th district of South Brooklyn, incumbent City Council Member Justin Brannan’s tenure came to an end, and his legal advisor, Kayla Santosuosso, represented the Democratic Party in the election. On the evening of November 4, she won with about 59% of the vote, defeating Republican opponent George Sarantopoulos, to become the new City Council Member. This district includes Bay Ridge, Coney Island, Dyker Heights, Bensonhurst, and Bath Beach, with approximately 20% of the population being of Asian descent.
Compared to the primary elections on June 24 where they received about 10,000 and 1,100 votes respectively, the two candidates saw a significant increase in voter turnout last night at 10 o’clock, with 21,308 votes for Kayla and 14,537 votes for George, indicating active participation in the election. Although the Republican candidate faced defeat, his performance was noteworthy.
In her victory statement last night, Kayla expressed her honor and sense of responsibility in becoming the first female City Council Member for this district. She emphasized her commitment to advocating for fair opportunities for hardworking families, providing practical public services, improving municipal maintenance, and enhancing quality of life. She extended gratitude to former City Council Member Justin Brannan for his guidance and contributions, promising to continue his accomplishments and promote community progress. Kayla thanked all volunteers and supporters involved in the campaign, highlighting that this victory was a collective achievement driven by neighborhood unity rather than special interests.
Kayla’s platform focuses on “affordable living, community safety, and equitable development,” advocating for universal childcare and property tax reform, and reducing administrative burdens on small businesses. She opposes cuts to police budgets, emphasizing the restoration of community policing and improvement of street cleanliness, while supporting gifted and talented programs and the specialized high school exam system to enhance the quality of public education. In terms of housing policy, Kayla advocates for permanent housing solutions over temporary shelters; she supports the “City of Yes” housing expansion principle but underscores the importance of preserving the community’s character. On immigration issues, she backs legal aid and resists federal deportation actions.
Regarding the potential lithium battery energy storage project at 1672 86th Street that the Chinese community has been concerned about, Kayla stated that the project is still in a “very preliminary stage.” She has met with the developer and believes the site is “a certain distance from residential areas.” She mentioned that the company operates well-established facilities in other parts of the city, including near schools, with no history of fires or safety incidents. However, she stated, “I am not satisfied yet, and more information and communication are needed,” indicating her ongoing focus on and careful evaluation to ensure public safety.