Brooklyn Councilman Ari Kagan formally switches events and can run as Republican in Bay Ridge district

Brooklyn Metropolis Councilman Ari Kagan formally grew to become a Republican on Monday, saying he’ll change districts to run in opposition to a fellow incumbent subsequent yr.

Kagan, who was elected simply final yr to signify a Coney Island-based district, stated he has joined the Republican caucus within the Council and can problem Councilman Justin Brannan in a rejiggered district in close by Bay Ridge.

“Each month I used to be asking myself, ‘Why am I nonetheless a Democrat?’” Kagan stated in a press convention on the steps of Metropolis Corridor. “It’s not about numbers or an election. It’s about [sending] a message.”

[ EXCLUSIVE: Coney Island councilman plans switch to GOP ]

The Day by day Information first reported Kagan’s plans on Sunday night time.

Kagan, an immigrant from Belarus, was flanked by Republican Minority Chief Councilman Joe Borelli (R-Staten Island).

Kagan harassed rising crime because the No. 1 problem behind his choice. He additionally stated Democrats had been unresponsive to calls for to reasonable the get together’s liberal stances.

“I didn’t depart the Democratic Occasion. The Democratic Occasion left me,” Kagan stated.

He stated he’ll run in a neighboring forty third Council district as a result of he feels betrayed by fellow Democrats in his personal forty seventh district, which was dramatically redrawn by an impartial redistricting fee.

Unsurprisingly, Kagan’s transfer drew Bronx cheers from Democrats, who branded him a turncoat.

“That is simply pure political opportunism,” Brannan stated.

“This drastic about-face critically calls into query [Kagan’s] dedication to [Democratic] coverage priorities,” Council Speaker Adrienne Adams (D-Queens) stated in an announcement.

Mayor Adams was extra circumspect, saying forward of the press convention that Kagan “has to [do] what he thinks is finest.”

Kagan’s transfer comes as Republicans have been having fun with a significant revival in south Brooklyn.

Three GOP candidates flipped Democratic districts within the space within the midterms, though Democrats are threatening to not seat Assemblyman-elect Lester Chang, claiming he actually lives in Manhattan.

Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.) additionally had a a lot bigger-than-expected victory over former Democratic Rep. Max Rose within the NY-11 congressional district that features the neighborhoods represented by each Brannan and Kagan.