Jabari Brisport: Relationships
Democratic Socialists of America
Brisport's political career is inseparable from his membership in the Democratic Socialists of America, which he joined in April 2017 . He is part of the nine-member State Socialists in Office bloc in Albany, a group of DSA-affiliated legislators who collaborate on shared policy priorities including housing reform, worker protections, and single-payer healthcare . The bloc has included State Senators Julia Salazar and Kristen Gonzalez, and Assembly Members Zohran Mamdani, Phara Souffrant Forrest, Marcela Mitaynes, Claire Valdez, Sarahana Shrestha, and Emily Gallagher .
Brisport's 2020 election was part of a coordinated DSA slate that also included the reelection of Salazar and the first-time victories of Mamdani, Souffrant Forrest, and Mitaynes . The slate's success significantly expanded the DSA's presence in the New York State Legislature .
Zohran Mamdani
Brisport and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani are close personal and political allies. The two are described as close friends and former roommates who entered the legislature together in the 2020 DSA wave . Brisport endorsed Mamdani's 2025 mayoral campaign, and six of the nine DSA state legislators formally backed the campaign . However, the two diverged publicly in 2026 when Brisport endorsed Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado for governor while Mamdani endorsed Governor Kathy Hochul . Brisport characterized the disagreement as a normal divergence within a broader movement, stating that the movement they had built was not controlled by any one individual .
Chi Osse
Brooklyn City Council Member Chi Osse has been a political ally, appearing alongside Brisport at protests against rent increases and aggressive evictions . Brisport has endorsed DSA-aligned candidates in overlapping Brooklyn races, including backing Eon Huntley's 2026 challenge to Assembly Member Stefani Zinerman .
Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
Brisport received endorsements from both Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez during his 2020 State Senate campaign . Sanders' 2016 presidential campaign was a source of political inspiration for Brisport, and Ocasio-Cortez publicly supported his candidacy in an interview with Prep for Prep . Both endorsements positioned Brisport within the national progressive-to-socialist wing of the Democratic Party.
Working Families Party and Union Allies
The New York Working Families Party endorsed Brisport in both his 2020 and 2022 campaigns, and he has appeared on the WFP ballot line in general elections . His labor endorsements have included 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, District Council 37, and New York Communities for Change . His union background as a UFT member has informed his alliance with labor organizations .
Velmanette Montgomery
Brisport succeeded longtime State Senator Velmanette Montgomery, who retired from the 25th District seat in 2020 after more than 35 years in office . Montgomery endorsed Assemblywoman Tremaine Wright rather than Brisport in the 2020 primary . Despite this, Brisport has spoken respectfully of Montgomery's legacy in the district.
Hakeem Jeffries
Brisport's relationship with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has been adversarial. Jeffries' congressional district overlaps with Brisport's state senate district, and operatives close to Jeffries have expressed interest in supporting a primary challenger against Brisport . The tension stems primarily from Brisport's positions on Israel and his alignment with the DSA's left wing, which places him in ideological opposition to Jeffries' brand of mainstream Democratic politics .
Eric Adams
Former Mayor Eric Adams endorsed Brisport's 2022 primary challenger, Reverend Conrad Tillard, using campaign infrastructure associated with his Striving for a Better New York PAC . The endorsement reflected Adams' broader effort to counter DSA influence in Brooklyn politics . Brisport won the primary decisively despite Adams' opposition .