At the R train station on 95th Street in Bay Ridge, Justin Brannan was distributing campaign handouts to commuters. It was the day before Election Day, the Democratic candidate was hoping for a third term representing the 43rd Council District in Southwest Brooklyn. 

He faces a challenge from Republican Brian Fox, a challenge that turned out to be more intense than he anticipateed. 

While not everyone was interested in taking a card from Brannan, he felt being there with less than 24 hours before the election was pivotal. 

What You Need To Know

  • Democratic incumbent Justin Brannan is running for re-election in the 43rd City Council District in Brooklyn

  • He is opposed by Republic Brian Fox

  • The 43rd District includes parts of Southwest Brooklyn
  • Brannan is seeking his third term in City Council and is a hopeful for the council speaker post

"You know what it is, for every person that at this point is going to say, ‘Oh my God, stop calling me,’ there are 10 voters who have no idea there is an election. Those are the folks that you are after, on the day before the election,” said Brannan. 

The two-term City Council member called it quits so he could attend a committee hearing via Zoom from his car before more campaigning; This time from his campaign office, reminding undecided constituents by phone to vote. Brannan wrapped up the calls and with campaign staff members hit the street once again, heading over to a local supermarket.

"I need your vote alright? Otherwise my wife is going to kick me out,” joked Brannan with one potential voter.

While Brannan encountered some friendly faces, he also met up with neighbors who weren't voting for him or were still undecided. It was perhaps a harbinger of how tight the race would be. 

When one neighbor said Brannan was not supporting the NYPD, the Bay Ridge native corrected him. 

“I am supporting the police,” said Brannan. 

After meeting up with some union member volunteers from the SEIU, we left Brannan as he prepared for Election Day.

On a brisk Election Day morning, Brannan tried one last time to sway voters at a polling site at Shore Hill Apartments in Bay Ridge. He was not alone though, as his opponent Brian Fox also showed up with some of his campaign staff.

“The whole team is excited and we are all pumped, got a really good feeling,” said Fox. Brannan felt the same at that point. The competition on paper was now in-person.

"Our advantage I think is our fresh new approach and also the sensibility we are running on,” said Fox. 

"This isn't, what's that movie? West Side Story,” said Brannan, referring to the rivalry between two gangs in the classic musical.