Brooklyn Council District 47 candidates face off in debate

(L-R) Candidate for New York City Council, Kayla Santosuosso and Democratic District Leader for Bay Ridge, Chris McCreight, march to the Bay Ridge office of Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis (R-Brooklyn) in Brooklyn, New York, March 22, 2025, protesting her vote to cut funding for federal health care programs and give tax breaks to billionaires. Brooklyn Eagle photo by Gabriele Holtermann

BROOKLYN — With early voting set to begin Saturday, the race to succeed term-limited Councilmember Justin Brannan in Brooklyn’s District 47 is heating up.

Democrat Kayla Santosuosso, Brannan’s chief counsel, faced off against Republican George Sarantopoulos, founder of an ATM and credit card processing firm, in a televised debate on Spectrum News NY1’s “Inside City Hall.”

The district spans Bay Ridge, Coney Island, Dyker Heights, Bath Beach and Gravesend. In recent years, the area has become increasingly purple, making it one of the city’s most closely watched Council races.

Both candidates outlined their visions for local economic growth, small business support and public safety. Early voting for the general election begins Saturday, with Election Day on Nov. 4.

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