In one of the heated and polarizing Republican primaries in latest Brooklyn historical past, Council Member Inna Vernikov emerged because the clear and commanding victor in Council District 48, defeating former Council Member Ari Kagan by a decisive 32% margin.
The marketing campaign left the southern Brooklyn GOP visibly fractured and strained with voters, occasion officers and neighborhood leaders taking sides — or remaining conspicuously silent.
Kagan, who beforehand misplaced a re-election bid within the redrawn forty seventh Council District to Democrat Justin Brannan, entered the CD48 major anticipating Vernikov to vacate her seat to pursue a rumored state Senate run. When that didn’t materialize and he or she stayed within the race, Kagan cast forward — backed by Meeting Members Alec Brook-Krasny and Michael Novakhov, in addition to former state Sen. Marty Golden.
Some questioned the knowledge of difficult a sitting Republican incumbent.
Republican Inna Vernikov celebrating her major election win on June 24, 2025. File photograph by Kirstyn Brendlen
However Novakhov, who represents the overlapping Meeting District 45, stated he sought a extra cooperative council companion and claimed Vernikov had rejected his overtures.
He publicly criticized Vernikov throughout a marketing campaign marked by excessive tensions, with social media commentary blurring the strains between candidate and surrogate. At occasions, it was unclear whether or not Vernikov was operating towards Kagan or Novakhov, in keeping with some observers.
After the first, Novakhov prolonged congratulations to Vernikov and proposed working collectively to confront what he referred to as a brand new risk to town: the rise of Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani as a frontrunner for mayor.
In an unique post-primary interview, Vernikov mirrored on the marketing campaign, her priorities for the district — which incorporates elements of Gravesend, Coney Island, Brighton Seaside, Midwood, Gravesend, Madison, Sheepshead Bay, Manhattan Seaside, and Gerritsen Seaside — and her broader imaginative and prescient for town.
“I am so grateful to the Republican voters of the 48th City Council District for seeing through all of the terrible lies and propaganda that were spread about me and choosing to vote for me based on my record,” she stated. “I don’t take the trust that my constituents placed in me lightly. It’s my priority to continue serving our community by both improving quality of life on our neighborhood streets and being a strong common-sense voice in City Hall.”
“We are number one in New York City for constituent services — having closed 10,000 cases,” she added.
Requested if she would do something otherwise in a brand new time period, Vernikov was blunt.
“Different, no,” she stated, including that she is going to “ramp up” efforts to push again towards the “radical left.”
“I will continue to be a loud voice for common sense and a thorn in the side of every person who seeks to destroy this city and make it unlivable for the law-abiding citizens who are simply seeking to make an honest living and are taxed, fined and penalized at every turn.”
On the key points going through her district, Vernikov listed public security, the affect of the migrant disaster, high quality of life issues reminiscent of cleanliness, and preserving the neighborhood’s character.
Vernikov stated she is going to proceed to advocate towards The Coney and for high quality of life within the district. Picture courtesy of The Coney
“My staff and I maintain a great relationship with the NYPD, DSNY and all city agencies to help address pressing issues as quickly as possible,” she stated. “To protect the character of our communities, I have been loudly advocating against the construction of the Coney Island casino, which would undoubtedly negatively affect the residents of our district.”
Taking a look at broader citywide issues, Vernikov continued: “Crime, the migrant crisis and rampant antisemitism. I am a very vocal advocate for solving all of these issues. Unlike many of the radicals in the Council, I’m a staunch advocate for the NYPD and the rule of law.”
She credited President Donald Trump with serving to enhance the migrant disaster, however blamed New York Metropolis’s sanctuary insurance policies for worsening native circumstances and creating an “unacceptable drain on taxpayer resources.”
“In regard to antisemitism, I refuse to rest until Jews finally feel safe on our streets, in our schools and on college campuses,” she stated.
Vernikov stated she may be very involved about Mamdani’s victory within the Democratic mayoral major.
“A Mayor Mamdani would be the worst possible scenario for this city,” she stated. “I grew up under communism. I know what ‘government-run grocery stores’ and other utopian-sounding policies lead to: bread lines, desolation, no choice and no opportunity.”
“Mamdani calling his communist ideas ‘democratic socialism’ does not change the Marxist values that exist at the core of his policy platform,” she added. “This is a very, very dangerous man with a very dangerous agenda for our city. Don’t be fooled by the charm!”
Within the wake of the election, some occasion leaders and neighborhood voices have referred to as for therapeutic and unity — notably to confront the rise of far-left affect citywide. Whether or not that can come to fruition is unclear.
“I am always willing to work with anyone trying to do what’s best for my constituents and this city — but not those who only look to serve their own interests,” she stated. “Unfortunately, we all saw the very ugly side of the Brooklyn GOP in this election, and they made it clear that they consider themselves an insular boys’ club, and anyone who doesn’t toe the line is not invited.”
Brooklyn GOP chair Richie Barsamian. Photograph by Robert Pearl
“Somehow, they cannot do the bare minimum of getting their own leader elected by the Republican electorate,” she continued, referencing Brooklyn GOP Chair Richie Barsamian, who misplaced the Republican major in District 47 to George Sarantopoulos by simply 16 votes.
The race was marred by allegations of voter fraud —together with lifeless voters casting ballots and 22 suspicious ballots present in a BOE facility — which have since been referred to the Brooklyn District Legal professional for investigation.
Regardless of the controversy, Barsamian’s defeat was licensed by the Board of Elections. On the evening earlier than Election Day, Vernikov revoked her endorsement of Barsamian, signaling a transparent break with the occasion’s management.
“It seems that the Brooklyn GOP needs a serious shake-up and to be seriously cleaned up if they hope to stand a chance in the face of the challenges that are ahead,” she stated.
Regardless of the intraparty rifts, Vernikov has continued to give attention to the fundamentals of constituent service. Her workplace just lately secured funding for neighborhood beautification, a brand new cease signal at Avenue W and East twenty seventh Avenue, and repaired a public water fountain in Manhattan Seaside inside 48 hours. She additionally helped safe the reopening of Kingsborough Seaside and has remained vocal in her opposition to the Coney Island on line casino, voting towards the demapping of land meant for the challenge.
“We’ve also brought in millions of dollars in funding for projects around the district and helped bring several critical budget items that will impact our district,” she stated.
Vernikov will now face Democratic nominee Anzhela Pinkhasov, founding father of the consulting group APOC, within the Nov. 4 common election.
