The Party’s representatives said the endorsement was based on Benjamin’s extensive experience handling investments, and his background in finance, a crucial skill, they said, for the job of city comptroller. Combined with his work as chair of the Budget and Revenue Committee in the state senate, they said Benjamin is the only candidate with the ability to handle investing the City’s money while protecting the pensions of retirees.

The announcement is the latest in a growing list of endorsements the senator has received from the Bronx, including those from U.S. Representative Adriano Espaillat, former Bronx Assemblymember and Democratic National Committee vice chair, Michael Blake, Assemblymember Kenny Burgos, Assemblymember Chantel Jackson, City Councilmember Diana Ayala, and candidate for New York City Council District 16, Althea Stevens.

Bronx Democratic Party chairman, State Sen. Jamaal T. Bailey, said the party was honored to endorse Benjamin for the role, and added that in the midst of an unprecedented fiscal crisis, Benjamin was exactly the experienced, forward-thinking leader needed to oversee the City’s economic recovery based on a plan, he said, that must center a bold vision for the future of the Bronx.

“Whether it’s fighting to bring accountability to policing, maximizing pension returns for New York’s retirees, investing in M/WBEs, rooting out waste in city agencies, or delivering the resources our communities deserve, Brian has the proven experience to manage our City’s finances and make government work for all New Yorkers,” Bailey said.

He continued, “As chair of the Senate Budget and Revenues Committee, he successfully fought to protect affordable housing, strengthen tenant protections, and expand criminal justice reforms. Prior to serving in the State Senate, Brian put his financial management background to work for his community – building affordable housing, helping young people develop work skills, and serving as chair of his Community Board.”

Bailey concluded by saying that he had no doubt Benjamin was prepared to tackle the tough challenges ahead as the next comptroller, and that he would be proud to work alongside him for a more just and equitable New York City.

Reacting to the announcement, Benjamin said he was honored to be endorsed by the Bronx Democratic Party. “My campaign has quickly gained the support of the Bronx, and I look forward to working with this influential group and all the Bronx legislators that have already endorsed my candidacy in building a stronger New York City as your next comptroller” he said.

According to his campaign, Benjamin is running for the comptroller position to chart a new course for New York’s financial future in what he described as “these difficult times,” one that protects New Yorkers’ retirements while upholding the values of decency and justice for all.

His campaign team said he gained crucial insight into financial management by working as an investment advisor at Morgan Stanley before deciding to apply his skillset for the greater public good.

According to the NY Daily News, Morgan Stanley borrowed $107 billion, the most of all banks, during the 2008 financial company bailout. This was clearly at great cost to the taxpayer, though it also saved many jobs and helped stabilize the economy.

Some criticized the government’s actions at that time in allowing Lehman Brothers, another major U.S. brokerage firm, to fail in the immediate aftermath of the crisis, and only later bailing out other banks and brokerage firms like Morgan Stanley, as reported in The Guardian.

After his time working in the financial services sector, Benjamin’s campaign team said that while working at a minority-owned business to build affordable housing, the senator helped create over one thousand affordable and environmentally sustainable units, all while helping young people develop work skills and securing good construction jobs through community youth programs.

As a member of the New York State Senate, Benjamin has led on criminal justice reform, introducing legislation to close Rikers Island and divest the state pension fund from private prisons in his first year.

In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, Benjamin advocated to pass the Rainy Day Fund law, which will ensure that New York City can meet its financial obligations when the next crisis hits. If elected comptroller, Benjamin commits to working to ensure that New Yorkers’ retirements are protected, that agencies like NYCHA, DOE, MTA and the NYPD face sufficient oversight, and that investments in the pension fund reflect New York City values.

Benjamin was born in Harlem and raised by Caribbean immigrants. He holds a degree in public policy from Brown University and a Master’s degree in business from Harvard. After earning his MBA, he returned to Harlem to start his career. In 2017, he was elected to serve as state senator to New York’s 30th Senate District.

Also in the city comptroller race are CNBC journalist, Michelle Caruso-Cabrera, a former Republican who most recently ran and lost against Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in New York’s 14th congressional district June primary race, businessman and historian, Chris J. McNickle, Iraq war veteran, Zachary Iscol, City Councilman Brad Lander representing District 39, former economic analyst at The Port Authority of NY & NJ, Terri Liftin, college student and former “groundskeeper” at the New York City Housing Authority, Alex K. Pan, State. Sen. Kevin S. Parker representing District 21, Manhattan Community Board 6 vice-chair of the Budget and Government Affairs committee, Reshima P. Patel, City Councilwoman for District 6 in Manhattan, Helen K. Rosenthal, and New York State Assemblyman for District 24, David I. Weprin.