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Gale Brewer

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Gale Brewer
Member of the New York City Council
from the 6th district
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 1, 2022
Preceded byHelen Rosenthal
In office
January 1, 2002 – December 31, 2013
Preceded byRonnie Eldridge
Succeeded byHelen Rosenthal
27th Borough President of Manhattan
In office
January 1, 2014 – December 31, 2021
Preceded byScott Stringer
Succeeded byMark Levine
Personal details
Born (1951-09-06) September 6, 1951 (age 74)
PartyDemocratic
SpouseCal Snyder
EducationBennington College (BA)
Harvard University (MPA)
Columbia University (BA)
WebsiteCity Council website

Gale Arnot Brewer (born September 6, 1951) is an American Democratic politician from the state of New York who has represented the 6th New York City Council district since January 2022, a position she previously held from 2002 to 2013. From January 2014 to December 2021, she served as the 27th Borough President of the New York City borough of Manhattan.

Education

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Brewer graduated from the Winsor School in Boston in 1969,[1] and then obtained a bachelor's from Bennington College in 1973 and a Master of Public Administration from Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government in 1990.[2] She then earned a second bachelor's from the Columbia University School of General Studies in 1997.[3]

Career in government

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From 1975 to 1978, Brewer served as director of scheduling for Mary Anne Krupsak, the former Lieutenant Governor of New York. From 1978 to 1990, she was chief of staff to then-New York City Council member Ruth Messinger. From 1990 to 1994, Brewer was director of the New York City Office of Federal Relations in New York in the administration of David Dinkins. From 1994 to 1998, she was Deputy Public Advocate for Intergovernmental Affairs under Mark Green.[4][better source needed][5]

Brewer then served as Project Manager for the NYC Nonprofits Project and worked with the Telesis Corporation, a private firm that builds affordable housing. She was a member of Manhattan's Community Board 7 and Chair of the New York State chapter of the National Women's Political Caucus.[4][better source needed][5] In 2000, she was cited by the New York Daily News as #20 of "50 New Yorkers to Watch".[6]

Political career

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New York City Council (2002–2013)

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Brewer began serving on the New York City Council in 2002. She represented the 6th district.[7] In each re-election vote in 2003, 2005, and 2009, she received over 80% of the votes cast.[4][better source needed]

Brewer has helped to pass legislation protecting domestic workers, establishing the New York City Broadband Advisory Committee, establishing an electronic death registration system and requiring New York City publications to be made available via the Internet, as well as two bills aimed at eliminating graffiti and unwanted stickers.[4][better source needed] In 2010, Brewer introduced the first Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) bill. Ranked Choice Voting was later passed in New York City in November 2019 when the Charter Revisions Commission put forth a referendum before NYC voters, which passed with nearly 75% of the vote. Ranked Choice Voting was first used in a New York City election in February of 2021.[8] New York State is one of a minority of states that allow Rank Choiced Voting in local elections in some jurisdictions.[9][circular reference]

Brewer chaired the Select Committee on Technology in Government (now the Committee on Technology) from 2002 to 2009[4] In June 2004, in conjunction with a graduate student Digital Opportunities Team at CUNY Hunter College departments of Urban Affairs and Planning supervised by Professor Lisa Tolliver,[10] the committee published a study and recommendations titled Expanding Digital Opportunity in New York City Public Schools: Profiles of Innovators and Leaders Who Make a Difference.[11] The report was one of numerous initiatives and events implemented by the Select Committee, which included roundtables, conferences, hearings, and collaborative partnerships.[12][11]

Manhattan Borough President (2014–2021)

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Ineligible to run for re-election to the City Council in 2013 because of term limits, in February 2013, Brewer announced she would run for Manhattan Borough president.[13] On September 10, 2013, Brewer won the Democratic primary, taking nearly 40% of the vote in a four-way race.[14] Brewer won the general election on Tuesday, November 5, 2013,[15] and assumed office in January 2014.[16][17]

Brewer was re-elected Manhattan Borough President in 2017.[18] Due to term limits for borough presidents, she was ineligible to seek re-election in 2021.[19]

In the 2020 United States presidential election, Brewer served as an alternate elector, replacing Christine Quinn.[20][21]

New York City Council (2022–present)

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Brewer's office on the Upper West Side.

In December 2020, Brewer announced her candidacy for her former City Council seat in the 2021 New York City Council election.[22] She lost the Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club endorsement to Democrat Sara Lind and requested a second endorsement vote from the organization prior to the June Democratic Primary in 2021.[23] On November 2, 2021, Brewer defeated Republican Nancy Regula (wife of Curtis Sliwa) with over 82% of the vote.[24] Brewer's main progressive Democratic primary challenger in 2021, Sara Lind, was not reappointed to Manhattan Community Board 7 when her position came up for renewal in 2023.

Brewer chairs the City Council's Committee on Oversight and Investigations.[25] She is a member of the Committees on Consumer and Worker Protection, Finance, Governmental Operations, Higher Education, and Rules, Privileges, and Elections.[26] In addition, she is a member of the Manhattan Delegation, the Women's Caucus, and sits on the Budget Negotiating Team.[27][5] She left the Progressive Caucus in 2023, and returned in 2026.[28]

Brewer successfully ran for the City Council's new 6th district seat in 2023.[29][30]

In May 2026, Brewer opposed a bill that would ban 24-hour "live-in shifts" by workers caring for disabled people, agreeing with the goal of the bill, but saying she was concerned about its unintended effects.[31]

In July 2026, Brewer headed a committee hearing to authorize a raise in salary for all citywide elected officials by 18 percent. She said other major cities in the United States have raised their officials' salaries with smaller budgets and there are New York City government staffers who get paid more than the mayor.[32]

Brewer is a member of the Vote Blue Coalition, a progressive group and federal PAC created to support Democrats in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania through voter outreach and mobilization efforts.[33]

Honors and awards

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In 2018, the Metropolitan College of NY awarded Gale Brewer an honorary doctorate citing her "long career on critical issues facing New York City from affordable housing and land use to health care and workers rights".[34]

Personal life

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Brewer is married to Cal Snyder. Their son, Mo Sumbundu, works for Empire State Development. In 2023, Sumbundu was appointed by Governor Kathy Hochul to the Buffalo State University Council.[35] Brewer has had several foster children.[5]

Electoral history

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2025

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2025 New York City Council election, District 6[36]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Gale Brewer 53,543 86.4
Working Families Gale Brewer 7,264 11.7
Total Gale Brewer (incumbent) 60,807 98.1
Write-in 1,183 1.9
Total votes 61,990 100.0
Democratic hold

2023

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2023 New York City Council election, District 6[37]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Gale Brewer (incumbent) 18,196 81.4
Republican Diane di Stasio 3,529 15.8
Clean Up NY/Arts & Culture Diane di Stasio 381 1.7
Total Diane di Stasio 3,910 17.5
Medical Freedom Barbara A. Simpson 147 0.7
Write-in 90 0.4
Total votes 22,343 100.0
Democratic hold

2021

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2021 New York City Council Democratic primary, District 6[38]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Gale Brewer 21,594 54.8
Democratic Maria Danzilo 5,834 14.8
Democratic Sara Lind 5,166 13.1
Democratic Jeffrey Omura 3,922 10.0
Democratic David Gold 1,867 4.7
Democratic Zachary Tov Weiner 959 2.4
Write-in 57 0.1
Total votes 39,399 100.0
2021 New York City Council election, District 6[39]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Gale Brewer 35,792 86.9
Republican Nancy Sliwa 5,194 12.6
Write-in 191 0.5
Total votes 41,177 100.0
Democratic hold

2017

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2017 Manhattan borough president election[40]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Gale Brewer 194,237 76.6
Working Families Gale Brewer 16,495 6.5
Total Gale Brewer (incumbent) 210,732 83.2
Republican Frank Scala 30,410 12.0
Green Daniel Vila Rivera 7,373 2.9
Libertarian Brian Waddell 3,430 1.4
Reform Brian Waddell 1,209 0.5
Total Brian Waddell 4,639 1.8
Write-in 276 0.1
Total votes 253,430 100.0
Democratic hold

2013

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2013 Manhattan borough president Democratic primary[41]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Gale Brewer 62,738 39.7
Democratic Jessica Lappin 37,292 23.6
Democratic Robert Jackson 30,873 19.6
Democratic Julie Menin 26,992 17.1
Write-in 14 0.0
Total votes 157,909 100.0
2013 Manhattan borough president election[42]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Gale Brewer 202,966 82.7
Republican David B. Casavis 37,421 15.3
Independence David B. Casavis 2,371 1.0
Libertarian David B. Casavis 1,392 0.6
Dump the Dump David B. Casavis 976 0.4
Total David B. Casavis 42,160 17.2
Write-in 199 0.1
Total votes 245,325 100.0
Democratic hold

2009

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2009 New York City Council election, District 6[43]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Gale Brewer 26,359 76.2
Working Families Gale Brewer 2,059 5.9
Total Gale Brewer (incumbent) 28,418 82.1
Republican Joshua J. Goldberg 6,190 17.9
Write-in 2 0.0
Total votes 34,610 100.0
Democratic hold

2005

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2005 New York City Council election, District 6[44]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Gale Brewer 29,345 77.3
Working Families Gale Brewer 1,747 4.6
Total Gale Brewer (incumbent) 31,092 81.9
Republican Joshua E. Yablon 6,852 18.1
Total votes 37,944 100.0
Democratic hold

2003

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2003 New York City Council election, District 6[45]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Gale Brewer 17,421 76.1
Working Families Gale Brewer 2,183 9.5
Total Gale Brewer (incumbent) 19,604 85.7
Republican Joshua E. Yablon 2,761 12.1
Independence Joshua E. Yablon[a] 347 1.5
Conservative Joshua E. Yablon 175 0.8
Total Joshua E. Yablon 3,283 14.3
Write-in 1 0.0
Total votes 22,888 100.0
Democratic hold

2001

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2001 New York City Council Democratic primary, District 6[46]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Gale Brewer 13,512 58.2
Democratic Anna R. Lewis 4,473 19.3
Democratic Michael E. Brown 1,648 7.1
Democratic Larry Sauer 1,641 7.1
Democratic Jason S. Haber 1,334 5.7
Democratic Ron Foley 488 2.1
Write-in 137 0.6
Total votes 23,233 100.0
2001 New York City Council election, District 6[47]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Gale Brewer 31,452 69.9
Working Families Gale Brewer 855 1.9
Liberal Gale Brewer 831 1.8
Green Gale Brewer 489 1.1
Total Gale Brewer 33,627 74.8
Republican David R. Herz 9,364 20.8
Independence Anna R. Lewis 1,496 3.3
Libertarian Gary Snyder 478 1.1
Write-in 1 0.0
Total votes 44,966 100.0
Democratic hold

Notes

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  1. ↑ Shared with "West Side Leadership" ballot line.

References

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  1. ↑ "A Promise Kept: The Winsor Promise Campaign Report" (PDF). Winsor School.
  2. ↑ "Annual Report of HKS Fund Giving & Alumni Engagement".
  3. ↑ "Manhattan Borough President to Speak at Columbia University Graduation | School of General Studies". www.gs.columbia.edu. Retrieved January 15, 2025.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 "Gale A. Brewer profile". Biography. New York City Council. Archived from the original on July 1, 2010. Retrieved June 20, 2010.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "Gale A. Brewer profile". Biography. New York City Council. Retrieved January 8, 2024.
  6. ↑ Saltonstall, Dave (January 1, 2001). "50 NEW YORKERS TO WATCH IN 2001". Daily News. p. 7. Retrieved January 5, 2021.
  7. ↑ Saltonstall, Gus (December 14, 2020). "Gale Brewer Files To Run For Her Old UWS City Council Seat". Upper West Side, NY Patch.
  8. ↑ "History of RCV in NYC".
  9. ↑ "Ranked-choice voting in the United States".
  10. ↑ Select Committee on Technology in Government of the New York City Council (June 2004). "Thanks and Acknowledgements". Expanding Digital Opportunity in New York City Public Schools: Profiles of Innovators and Leaders Who Make a Difference (PDF). p. 19. the graduate student Digital Opportunities Team at CUNY Hunter College departments of Urban Affairs and Planning was comprised of Danisa Dambrauskas, Kazu Hoshino, Gavin O'Donoghue, and Jennifer Vallone and supervised by Professor Lisa Tolliver.
  11. 1 2 Select Committee on Technology in Government of the New York City Council (June 2004). Expanding Digital Opportunity in New York City Public Schools: Profiles of Innovators and Leaders Who Make a Difference (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on February 13, 2006.
  12. ↑ "Fall 2003 Hearing and Event Schedule for The New York City Select Committee on Technology in Government, Chaired by Council Member Gale Brewer (D-Manhattan)". Solutions for State and Local Government Technology. October 17, 2003. Archived from the original on January 5, 2021. Retrieved January 5, 2021.
  13. ↑ Walker, Hunter (February 17, 2012). "Brewer Says She's 'Definitely' Running For Manhattan Borough President". Observer. Retrieved March 21, 2018.
  14. ↑ "2013 Democratic Primary Election Results - Manhattan Borough President" (PDF). Vote.NYC. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  15. ↑ "2013 General Election Results - Manhattan Borough President" (PDF). Vote.NYC. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  16. ↑ Varinsky, Dana (January 12, 2014). "Gale Brewer Sworn In as Manhattan Borough President". DNAinfo New York. Archived from the original on February 2, 2022. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  17. ↑ "Contributor Gale A Brewer". HuffPost.com. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  18. ↑ "General Election - 11/07/2017 New York County - All Parties and Independent Bodies" (PDF). vote.nyc. Board of Elections in the City of New York. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  19. ↑ Khurshid, Samar (September 16, 2020). "With 5 Candidates Declared, 2021 Manhattan Borough President Race Has Begun". Gotham Gazette. Retrieved January 5, 2021.
  20. ↑ Cuomo, Andrew M.; Stewart-Cousins, Andrea; Heastie, Carl E. (November 5, 2019). "2020 Electoral College Results; New York Certificate of Vote 2020". National Archives. pp. 3, 2. Retrieved January 5, 2021.
  21. ↑ Brehm, Robert A.; Valentine, Todd D. (November 3, 2020). "AMENDED Certification for the November 3, 2020 General Election" (PDF). New York State Board of Elections. pp. 5, 10. Archived (PDF) from the original on November 23, 2020. Retrieved January 5, 2021.
  22. ↑ Tannenhauser, Carol (December 12, 2020). "Gale Brewer Files to Run for Her Old City Council Seat in 2021". West Side Rag. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  23. ↑ Coltin, Jeff (February 4, 2021). "Gale Brewer requests revote after losing an endorsement to City Council challenger". Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club.
  24. ↑ "2021 NYC Election Results" (PDF). Vote.NYC. November 29, 2021. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  25. ↑ "Committee on Oversight and Investigations". New York City Council. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  26. ↑ "Welcome". Gale Brewer. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  27. ↑ "Committees". New York City Council. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  28. ↑ Donaldson, Sahalie (January 20, 2026). "Meet the new, bigger City Council Progressive Caucus: With 24 members – now including Gale Brewer – the caucus is two short of a City Council majority". City & State NY. Retrieved May 12, 2026.
  29. ↑ "I'm running for re-election! (Yes, again!)". Gale Brewer for City Council. Again!. May 9, 2023. Archived from the original on May 12, 2023. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
  30. ↑ "Statement and Return Report for Certification; General Election 2023 - 11/07/2023; New York County - All Parties and Independent Bodies; Member of the City Council, 6th Council District" (PDF). New York City Board of Elections. December 4, 2023.
  31. ↑ Goldiner, Judith; Brewer, Gale (May 11, 2026). "Opinion: A well-intentioned bill could collapse NYC's home care system". City & State NY. Retrieved May 12, 2026.
  32. ↑ https://www.ragaforqueens.com/endorsements
  33. ↑ "Coalition". Vote Blue. Retrieved July 17, 2024.
  34. ↑ Gale Brewer at MCNY 2018 Commencement, June 26, 2018, retrieved January 8, 2024
  35. ↑ "Buffalo State Council | SUNY Buffalo State University".
  36. ↑ "00101100006New York Member of the City Council 6th Council District Recap.pdf" (PDF). Vote NYC. New York City Board of Elections. December 2, 2025. Retrieved June 17, 2026.
  37. ↑ "00101600006New York Member of the City Council 6th Council District Recap.pdf" (PDF). Vote NYC. New York City Board of Elections. December 5, 2023. Retrieved June 17, 2026.
  38. ↑ "DEM Council Member 6th Council District". Vote NYC. New York City Board of Elections. July 20, 2021. Retrieved June 17, 2026.
  39. ↑ "00100700006New York Member of the City Council 6th Council District Recap.pdf" (PDF). Vote NYC. New York City Board of Elections. November 30, 2021. Retrieved June 17, 2026.
  40. ↑ "00101800010New York Borough President New York Recap.pdf" (PDF). Vote NYC. New York City Board of Elections. July 16, 2019. Retrieved June 17, 2026.
  41. ↑ "01018000101New York Democratic Borough President New York Recap.pdf" (PDF). Vote NYC. New York City Board of Elections. September 30, 2013. Retrieved June 17, 2026.
  42. ↑ "00101800010New York Borough President New York Recap.pdf" (PDF). Vote NYC. New York City Board of Elections. December 3, 2013. Retrieved June 17, 2026.
  43. ↑ "4.19NewYorkCouncil6Recap.pdf" (PDF). Vote NYC. New York City Board of Elections. November 20, 2009. Retrieved June 17, 2026.
  44. ↑ "New York City Council 6 Recap.pdf" (PDF). Vote NYC. New York City Board of Elections. November 28, 2005. Retrieved June 17, 2026.
  45. ↑ "Microsoft Word - MnFront.doc" (PDF). Vote NYC. New York City Board of Elections. December 5, 2003. Retrieved June 17, 2026.
  46. ↑ "F0202 2001 PRIMARY ELECTION October 11, 2001" (PDF). Vote NYC. New York City Board of Elections. October 11, 2001. Retrieved June 17, 2026.
  47. ↑ "2001 GENERAL ELECTION November 28, 2001" (PDF). Vote NYC. New York City Board of Elections. November 28, 2001. Retrieved June 17, 2026.
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