Matthew Morgan (New York) - Ballotpedia

Brooklyn District 39 City Council Race: Hanif Faces 2 Challengers ...

Matthew Morgan is from Princeton, New Jersey. He has a bachelor’s degree in business management from Hofstra University. He lives in Gowanus, Brooklyn.

Matthew currently works as a store manager at Sherwin-Williams. 

Matthew previously ran for New York City City Council District 39 in 2021 but did not win. 

Supports streamlining the permit and licensing process for small businesses.

Wants to make the city affordable by eliminating "government burdens" instead of using tax money to fill financial gaps.

Wants to create a system that simplifies the process of starting a new business and aims to reduce startup costs.

- Supports streamlining the permit and licensing process for small businesses.
- Wants to make the city affordable by eliminating "government burdens" instead of using tax money to fill financial gaps.
- Wants to create a system that simplifies the process of starting a new business and aims to reduce startup costs.

Economy

Supports abolishing zoning to build more housing, parks, commercial spaces, schools, and community centers.

- Supports abolishing zoning to build more housing, parks, commercial spaces, schools, and community centers.

Public Services

As of September 3, 2025, Matthew Morgan’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Housing & Urban Development

Wants to "kick ICE out of the city indefinitely" and build trust between police and community by creating a conflict resolution-focused police department.

Wants to reform the police and criminal justice system to restore trust in law enforcement and "get people out of prison who do not belong there and get them a second chance at life."

- Wants to "kick ICE out of the city indefinitely" and build trust between police and community by creating a conflict resolution-focused police department.
- Wants to reform the police and criminal justice system to restore trust in law enforcement and "get people out of prison who do not belong there and get them a second chance at life."

Public Safety

Supports increasing transportation options to reduce financial burdens of car ownership.

- Supports increasing transportation options to reduce financial burdens of car ownership.

Transportation & Infrastructure

Supports congestion pricing, believing it reclaims public space from private cars, but doubts the MTA's (Metropolitan Transportation Authority's) ability to provide reliable subway service and efficient bus routes based on its past 50 years of mismanagement.

Supports requiring developers to build more green roofs on new buildings and planting more trees to reduce the heat island effect.

Believes closing the Indian Point Nuclear Facility increased NYC's reliance on fossil fuels, opposing efforts to "destroy nuclear energy in the United States."

- Supports congestion pricing, believing it reclaims public space from private cars, but doubts the MTA's (Metropolitan Transportation Authority's) ability to provide reliable subway service and efficient bus routes based on its past 50 years of mismanagement.
- Supports requiring developers to build more green roofs on new buildings and planting more trees to reduce the heat island effect.
- Believes closing the Indian Point Nuclear Facility increased NYC's reliance on fossil fuels, opposing efforts to "destroy nuclear energy in the United States."

Energy & the Environment

Supports decriminalizing sex work and legalizing all drugs in NYC.

- Supports decriminalizing sex work and legalizing all drugs in NYC.

Healthcare

Supports reducing the number of central office staff at the Department of Education to reallocate funds to schools and support teachers.

- Supports reducing the number of central office staff at the Department of Education to reallocate funds to schools and support teachers.

Education

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Matthew Morgan

Supports abolishing zoning to produce more housing, lower rent, and increase savings for renters.

Matthew is a store manager at Sherwin-Williams. 

Matthew's campaign for New York City Council Member, District 39 is his first entry into politics. 

As of September 3, 2025, Matthew Morgan did not have a website or any information online.

Matthew Morgan is from Princeton, New Jersey. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business management from Hofstra University. He lives in Gowanus, Brooklyn.

Said, "Saving small businesses is an issue that is important to me, since we lost so many during the pandemic."

Supports abolishing zoning to allow for more construction of housing, parks, commercial spaces, schools, and community centers.

Supports kicking ICE out of the city indefinitely and building trust between police and the community through conflict resolution.

Supports increasing transportation options to reduce the financial burden of car ownership.

Advocates for redesigning streets to improve safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and people with disabilities.

Supports decriminalizing sex work and legalizing all drugs.

Buket Urgen

LinkedIn

Brett earned a bachelor's degree in nautical science from the US Merchant Marine Academy. 

Brett currently works as a senior technical resource for Wynn Data Limited. 

Ballotpedia, Brett Wynkoop

Brett previously ran for New York City Council District 39 in 2021 and for New York State Assembly District 52 in 2022 and 2024 but did not win. 

Plans to reduce regulations for small businesses, street vendors, and property owners.

Promises to end "wasteful spending" and ensure taxpayer dollars are used to strengthen public services.

Supports large-scale indoor farming in Brooklyn to create jobs and provide local produce.

Believes companies are leaving New York due to crime and an "antibusiness climate," taking jobs with them.

Opposes New York City investing in Chinese-owned businesses or funds that include Chinese businesses.

- Plans to reduce regulations for small businesses, street vendors, and property owners.
- Promises to end "wasteful spending" and ensure taxpayer dollars are used to strengthen public services.
- Supports large-scale indoor farming in Brooklyn to create jobs and provide local produce.
- Believes companies are leaving New York due to crime and an "antibusiness climate," taking jobs with them.
- Opposes New York City investing in Chinese-owned businesses or funds that include Chinese businesses.

Opposes the "City of Yes" plan, believing it overrides local zoning laws and disregards community input.

Plans to address "illegal immigration" by repealing New York City's sanctuary status, claiming it burdens public services and contributes to crime, diverting funds from aiding citizens.

- Opposes the "City of Yes" plan, believing it overrides local zoning laws and disregards community input.
- Plans to address "illegal immigration" by repealing New York City's sanctuary status, claiming it burdens public services and contributes to crime, diverting funds from aiding citizens.

As of September 17, 2025, Brett Wynkoop’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Plans to sponsor or co-sponsor legislation to "restore law and order in New York City."

Opposes the practice of releasing repeat offenders.

- Plans to sponsor or co-sponsor legislation to "restore law and order in New York City."
- Opposes the practice of releasing repeat offenders.

Supports water shipping over truck shipping due to energy efficiency and lower pollution.

- Supports water shipping over truck shipping due to energy efficiency and lower pollution.

Opposes mandatory medical procedures for employment or benefits. Plans to criminalize such requirements to protect personal health care decisions.

Opposes government involvement in personal health information, plans to criminalize such inquiries, and will reject any central health or vaccination registries.

- Opposes mandatory medical procedures for employment or benefits. Plans to criminalize such requirements to protect personal health care decisions.
- Opposes government involvement in personal health information, plans to criminalize such inquiries, and will reject any central health or vaccination registries.

Supports expanding private and charter schools and creating a school voucher program.

- Supports expanding private and charter schools and creating a school voucher program.

Brett Wynkoop

Brett previously ran for New York City Council District 39 in 2021 and for New York State Assembly District 52 in 2022 and 2024 but did not win. He advanced from the Conservative Party primary for New York State Assembly District 52 in 2024 but lost in the general election. 

Brett lives in Brooklyn, New York. He attended the United States Merchant Marine Academy.

Brett works as a technical officer at a data company. He has done technical work for  software companies and financial institutions.

Brett Wynkoop previously ran for New York State Assembly in 2022 and New York City Council in 2021, but did not win.

Walter Ley

Plans to make New York a more business-friendly state to attract companies and jobs.

Pledges to strengthen parental rights in NYC, ensuring due process and transparency in education and child welfare.

Opposes the "City of Yes" plan, which would override local zoning laws and allow for larger developments in crowded communities.

Supports reducing gun violence through stricter enforcement of laws.

Nickie Kane is running for New York City Council. She previously attempted to run for City Council in 2023 but was removed from the ballot due to a petition formatting error and did not appear on the ballot.

Opposes Social Security cuts and supports expanding the program to protect seniors and disabled individuals.

- Opposes Social Security cuts and supports expanding the program to protect seniors and disabled individuals.

As of September 3, 2025, Nickie Kane’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Criticized income thresholds in NYC’s affordable housing lottery, stating they exclude low-income residents.

- Criticized income thresholds in NYC’s affordable housing lottery, stating they exclude low-income residents.

Criticized the city’s handling of pedestrian signal changes that created safety risks.

- Criticized the city’s handling of pedestrian signal changes that created safety risks.

Supports Medicaid and opposes funding cuts, emphasizing its role for low-income individuals.

- Supports Medicaid and opposes funding cuts, emphasizing its role for low-income individuals.

Opposes federal efforts to defund the Department of Education and supports increased public school funding.

- Opposes federal efforts to defund the Department of Education and supports increased public school funding.

Nickie Kane

Shahana is originally from Brooklyn. She earned a bachelor’s degree in women's and gender studies and TV/radio from Brooklyn College. She lives in the Kensington neighborhood of Brooklyn.

Shahana previously worked as director of organizing and community engagement and as a Bangladeshi community liaison for Council Member Brad Lander. Before that, she worked as a public housing tenant organizer with CAAAV: Organizing Asian Communities.

Shahana Hanif - Ballotpedia

Shahana Hanif currently serves as the New York City Council Member for District 39. She was first elected in 2021 and is serving her 2nd term.

Supports unionization and striking workers.

Introduced the Tip Theft Prevention Act to ensure food service workers receive their earned tips.

Advocates ending 24-hour shifts for home care workers.

Supports increasing subsidized artist studios, dedicated artist housing, and the federal Living Wage for Musicians Act.

Supports reducing commercial vacancies, unnecessary fines, and improving multi-lingual services for immigrant-owned establishments.

- Supports unionization and striking workers.
- Introduced the Tip Theft Prevention Act to ensure food service workers receive their earned tips.
- Advocates ending 24-hour shifts for home care workers.
- Supports increasing subsidized artist studios, dedicated artist housing, and the federal Living Wage for Musicians Act.
- Supports reducing commercial vacancies, unnecessary fines, and improving multi-lingual services for immigrant-owned establishments.

Supports the 1% for Parks campaign, which would allocate more funds to green spaces.

- Supports the 1% for Parks campaign, which would allocate more funds to green spaces.

Advocates for preserving affordable housing and combating deed theft to protect residents from displacement.

Plans to ensure future development prioritizes climate justice by creating green spaces, improving sewage systems, and building resilient infrastructure.

Established the Gowanus Rezoning Oversight Taskforce to hold developers and the administration accountable.

As a city council member, supported the Homes Now, Homes for Generations campaign, which secured $2 billion for housing preservation and development.

- Advocates for preserving affordable housing and combating deed theft to protect residents from displacement.
- Plans to ensure future development prioritizes climate justice by creating green spaces, improving sewage systems, and building resilient infrastructure.
- Established the Gowanus Rezoning Oversight Taskforce to hold developers and the administration accountable.
- As a city council member, supported the Homes Now, Homes for Generations campaign, which secured $2 billion for housing preservation and development.

Supports police reform and accountability, including passing the How Many Stops Act to address discriminatory practices, opposing biased surveillance, and speaking out against corruption.

Supports improving safety for detained people and corrections staff by increasing access to Narcan in jails.

Supports major reforms for the NYPD, including disbanding units like the Strategic Response Group and the Vice Squad.

- Supports police reform and accountability, including passing the How Many Stops Act to address discriminatory practices, opposing biased surveillance, and speaking out against corruption.
- Supports improving safety for detained people and corrections staff by increasing access to Narcan in jails.
- Supports major reforms for the NYPD, including disbanding units like the Strategic Response Group and the Vice Squad.

Supports congestion pricing, believing it will enhance street safety and support vital Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) investments.

- Supports congestion pricing, believing it will enhance street safety and support vital Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) investments.

As a city council member, introduced and passed legislation instituting New York City’s first Citywide Curbside Composting program.

Launched the City’s first climate justice-focused Participatory Budgeting cycle, investing $1.5 million into resiliency projects in District 39, developed through grassroots input.

As a city council member, pushed for the full and timely implementation of Local Law 97, which mandates emissions reductions for large buildings, and sponsored Int. 1180 to eliminate loopholes in the law.

Worked with the Department of Environmental Protection to hold community town halls on flood mitigation and adaptation strategies, and collaborated with local groups to prevent flooding.

Oversaw the completion of the BED 798 sewer main construction in northern Park Slope, reducing flood risks and supporting green infrastructure initiatives.

Advocates for expanding infrastructure to handle storm surges and increased water runoff.

Exploring legislation to create more green spaces, expand resiliency projects, reduce fossil fuel dependency, and lower urban heat islands.

- As a city council member, introduced and passed legislation instituting New York City’s first Citywide Curbside Composting program.
- Launched the City’s first climate justice-focused Participatory Budgeting cycle, investing $1.5 million into resiliency projects in District 39, developed through grassroots input.
- As a city council member, pushed for the full and timely implementation of Local Law 97, which mandates emissions reductions for large buildings, and sponsored Int. 1180 to eliminate loopholes in the law.
- Worked with the Department of Environmental Protection to hold community town halls on flood mitigation and adaptation strategies, and collaborated with local groups to prevent flooding.
- Oversaw the completion of the BED 798 sewer main construction in northern Park Slope, reducing flood risks and supporting green infrastructure initiatives.
- Advocates for expanding infrastructure to handle storm surges and increased water runoff.
- Exploring legislation to create more green spaces, expand resiliency projects, reduce fossil fuel dependency, and lower urban heat islands.

Plans to introduce the Affirm Act to protect the safety of patients and staff at healthcare facilities that provide gender-affirming care.

Supports a single-payer insurance system and endorses Medicare for All at the federal level and the New York Health Act at the state level.

- Supports abortion access.
- Plans to introduce the Affirm Act to protect the safety of patients and staff at healthcare facilities that provide gender-affirming care.
- Supports a single-payer insurance system and endorses Medicare for All at the federal level and the New York Health Act at the state level.

Supports a universal childcare program to provide access to high-quality early education for children from 2 years old to Pre-K.

Supports expanding the "Promise NYC" program, which provides childcare for immigrant families.

Advocated for culturally responsive meal options, including kosher and halal meals, in local schools.

Supports the Green Healthy Schools campaign to make renewable energy upgrades to school buildings.

Supports efforts to combat hate in public schools, including restorative justice programs and curricula that emphasize diversity and inclusion.

- Supports a universal childcare program to provide access to high-quality early education for children from 2 years old to Pre-K.
- Supports expanding the "Promise NYC" program, which provides childcare for immigrant families.
- Advocated for culturally responsive meal options, including kosher and halal meals, in local schools.
- Supports the Green Healthy Schools campaign to make renewable energy upgrades to school buildings.
- Supports efforts to combat hate in public schools, including restorative justice programs and curricula that emphasize diversity and inclusion.

Shahana Hanif

- City Council Members work together to enact local laws, approve the city budget, and oversee land use and zoning regulations. ​
- Council Members oversee city agencies, ensuring they effectively serve the public and address community needs. ​

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