Brooklyn Councilwoman Susan Zhuang, who made headlines after allegedly biting a police officer at an anti-homeless shelter rally in July, has announced her endorsement of Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine in the Democratic primary for city comptroller. Zhuang has started raising money for Levine’s campaign within the Chinese American community, despite facing controversy due to her criminal case related to the incident at the rally. Despite the backlash, Zhuang believes in standing up for those she cares about and has emphasized her influence in her district and citywide.
Zhuang, 39, is well-known in her heavily Asian southern Brooklyn district, which includes Bensonhurst, Sunset Park, Dyker Heights, and a section of Borough Park. She asserts that she has support from Chinese-American activists and residents across the city, and she remains involved in citywide politics despite her pending case. Zhuang has been actively participating in fundraising efforts for Levine, including organizing a Lunar New Year Celebration event in Manhattan’s Chinatown. The event has garnered the interest of 250 attendees, with tickets ranging from $100 to $500.
During a prior endorsement event for Levine in southern Brooklyn, Zhuang stated that Levine supports the single-test admissions policy for the city’s special high schools, a stance that resonates with Asian-American parents. However, in the past, Levine supported legislation that called for the elimination of the single-test admissions policy in favor of using multiple criteria due to concerns about low representation of black and Latino students in these schools. This discrepancy has sparked some criticism from those who question Levine’s stance on admissions policies.
Zhuang’s criminal case stems from her arrest during a demonstration with the group “Residents Against Homeless Shelters” in Bensonhurst, where she was charged with second-degree and third-degree assault, as well as resisting arrest. The incident involved Zhuang allegedly biting a high-ranking police officer on the arm as he tried to intervene in a confrontation between her and other protesters. Despite this incident, Zhuang remains focused on her political duties and supporting candidates like Levine in their campaigns.
Levine’s campaign has not yet commented on Zhuang’s endorsement, as he faces competition from Brooklyn Councilman Justin Brannan in the Democratic primary for city comptroller. The rivalry between Brannan and Zhuang reflects the ongoing feud between separate Democratic club factions in Brooklyn. Zhuang’s endorsement of Levine may carry weight in the Chinese American community, as she continues to rally support for him despite the controversy surrounding her criminal case. As the primary election approaches, the impact of Zhuang’s endorsement and her involvement in fundraising efforts for Levine’s campaign remain to be seen.
