Borough presidents aren’t as important as they sound—but they’re more important than most people realize. BPs command no armies and sign no laws, but they are hugely influential in the governance of New York City. They have two main roles and a third key lever of impact: First, they participate in “land use” decisions that determine whether and where New York City allows the creation of new homes, hugely important in the context of our historic housing shortage. Second, they appoint the 2,950 members of the city’s 59 Community Boards, which are meant to reflect the interests of “the community” when the city is making decisions about everything from outdoor dining to bike lanes to homeless shelters. Third, they have a bully pulpit, the power to direct attention to the issues most pressing to the lives of the borough’s residents.

Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso has used the office effectively across these fronts. On land use, he has been a proponent of comprehensive planning, committed to the commonsense but politically courageous idea that all neighborhoods must do their fair share to tackle the supply shortage confronting the city. He supported the City of Yes for Housing Opportunity rezoning to legalize more housing in every neighborhood, noting that it is an important first step but insufficient to address the affordability crisis. (There are limits to Reynoso’s pro-housing commitments: he opposed a building near the Brooklyn Botanical Garden that would have cast some shadows over some areas.) Reynoso has made positive Community Board appointments, and he has worked to ensure street improvements like bus and bike lanes face fewer process hurdles on their way to implementation. He has also been a vocal supporter of congestion pricing—a critical climate and transit policy—while also using bully pulpit and financial resources to address maternal mortality particularly impacting Black women.

Reynoso is facing a challenger this June. Khari Edwards is the Head of Corporate relations at a cannabis company who previously worked in external engagement at Brookdale University Hospital. He ran for Brooklyn BP in 2021 as well, finishing fifth in the primary that Reynoso won. This time around, he has raised significant funds and is mounting a real challenge. However, he is not offering a better vision. On the most important issue facing Brooklyn, housing affordability, Edwards denied that there is a housing supply shortage and opposed City of Yes for Housing. (On the other hand, he does support Haven Green, 100% affordable housing for seniors—in Manhattan.) It is almost always a good thing to offer primary voters a choice; in this case, though, Reynoso deserves enthusiastic support in his reelection.