Assemblymember Jim Brennan Will Not Seek Re-Election

After 32 years of service, Jim Brennan will no longer represent our area in Albany.

State Assemblymember James Brennan, whose district includes sections of Flatbush, Kensington, Midwood, Park Slope and Windsor Terrace, has announced that he will not seek re-election this Fall.

“I am proud of all the good things my office and staff have done in collaboration with the thousands of wonderful people I have had the chance to represent,” Assemblymember Brennan said in a statement posted on Facebook this morning.

Brennan, who has held office since 1984, has been active on a wide range of issues, including funding for New York City public schools, pedestrian and traffic safety, and ways to combat political corruption in Albany.

Brennan has had a particular interest in consumer protection, energy conservation, and social and economic justice, his website notes. He currently chairs the Assembly Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions; and is a member of the committees on Codes, Education, and Real Property Taxation.

Attorney Robert Carroll, former president of the Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats and member of Community Board 7, will be running for Brennan’s seat this Fall, a spokesman for Carroll confirmed. Assemblymember Brennan has endorsed Carroll’s bid for his seat.

Carroll had been in the process of trying to unseat local Democratic state committeeman Jacob Gold, who is up for re-election.

The New York State Democratic primary is on September 13. The general election is on November 8.

Brennan’s full statement is below:

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

I am writing to let you know I will not be seeking re-election to the New York State Assembly after thirty-two years in office.

I am deeply grateful for the support you have shown me during this time and it has been an honor and an inspiration to be in public service. I am proud of all the good things my office and staff have done in collaboration with the thousands of wonderful people I have had the chance to represent. They include:

Saving ten community organizations, institutions, or major programs from collapse or closure over the years, sometimes more than once;

Helping thousands of individuals through our offices;

Leading the successful fight to downzone nearly every neighborhood in the district, to protect the community from predatory developers and preserve the quality of life through low and medium density zoning;

Designating millions to subway facilities, schools, parks, hospitals, and community service and housing programs;

Sponsoring forums, workshops, neighborhood resource and service fairs to help people and keep them informed.

In the State legislature, I am proud of what I accomplished:

I chaired four Committees; There are 95 Brennan laws on the books of the State of New York; I won three national awards for my legislative work, and, I worked full-time with no outside compensation.

My office will remain open through December 31 to provide service, and once again, my deepest thanks for the chance to serve. I remain,

Your Proud Servant,
Assemblymember Jim Brennan