Jabari Brisport


Jabari Brisport is an American politician, activist, actor, and teacher from New York City. He is the Democratic nominee for New York's 25th State Senate district general election to be held on November 3, 2020.

Early life and education

Brisport was raised in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn, to a Caribbean immigrant father and a second-generation Brooklynite mother.
He attended New York University Tisch School of the Arts and the Yale School of Drama.

Career

Brisport is a math teacher, who has taught at Medgar Evers College Preparatory School.

Political campaigns

In 2017, Brisport ran against incumbent Laurie Cumbo for the 35th District city council seat in New York City. In a rare Green Party primary, Brisport defeated opponent Scott Hutchinson 32 votes to 4. Brisport was partially inspired by Bernie Sanders to run for office. He was endorsed by Sanders' Our Revolution and New York Communities for Change, as well as the New York Chapter of DSA in the race. He lost the election, but gained 29% of the vote. Brisport's run earned more independent votes in any council race since 2003.
In 2019, Brisport announced a run for the New York State Senate 25th District, held by Democrat Velmanette Montgomery. On September 29, 2019, Brisport's run for State Senate was officially endorsed by the DSA.
On election night of the Democratic primary on June 23, 2020, Brisport led the race with 52.25% of the vote against sitting Assemblywoman Tremaine Wright and former Velmanette Montgomery staffer Jason Salmon. However, absentee ballots were more significant than usual due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and on election night there were still 26,000 absentee ballots to be counted. Brisport declared victory on July 23, once the absentee ballots had been counted and his lead over Wright had been extended to 10,000 votes. Given the overwhelmingly Democratic supermajority in New York’s 25th State Senate district, Brisport is considered the presumptive Senator-elect.

Political positions

Brisport is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America.
Brisport's support for affordable housing includes not only stopping the private development of the Bedford Union Armory in Crown Heights, but to other perennial measures, such as a vacancy tax and a pied-à-terre tax, as well as housing plans that are 100% affordable, rather than a mix of market price or luxury condominiums.

Personal life

Brisport is gay.