'Party above politics': Brooklyn GOP chair Richie Barsamian endorses George Sarantopoulos for District 47 after contentious primary * Brooklyn Paper

"Standing before a packed crowd of elected officials, party members and neighbors, Barsamian set aside personal disappointment for what he called a higher mission. "The primaries are behind us," he said. "As GOP chair, I say this with conviction: we must all get behind George Sarantopoulos. "Party above politics. We have one mission - to win, to save our neighborhoods, and to save this city.""

""George, you better win," he added. The two men shook hands and embraced as the microphone passed between them. Sarantopoulos accepted the endorsement with gratitude. "Richie and I may have been opponents, but tonight we are allies for a greater cause," he said. "This city is at a crossroads, and together we will fight to make sure southern Brooklyn's voice is not only heard but respected. I am proud to have his support - it shows the strength and unity of our party.""

"What began as a spirited fundraiser rally for mayoral candidate Curtis Sliwa last week at the Knights of Columbus in Dyker Heights turned into a defining moment for Brooklyn Republicans. Sliwa energized local supporters at the rally. But the night's biggest headline came when Brooklyn GOP Chair Richie Barsamian publicly endorsed George Sarantopoulos for City Council District 47. Sarantopoulos narrowly defeated Barsamian in the district's Republican primary, which was plagued by allegations of voter fraud and caused a rift among local Republicans."

An energetic fundraiser for mayoral candidate Curtis Sliwa at the Knights of Columbus in Dyker Heights transformed into a pivotal local Republican moment. Brooklyn GOP Chair Richie Barsamian publicly endorsed George Sarantopoulos, who narrowly won the District 47 Republican primary by 16 votes amid allegations of voter fraud and intra-party conflict. Sarantopoulos will face Democrat Kayla Santosuosso in November for the seat held by term-limited Council Member Justin Brannan. Barsamian urged unity and prioritized party goals over personal disappointment, calling for collective effort to win and protect neighborhoods. Sarantopoulos accepted the endorsement and framed the alliance as strengthening party unity.

Read at Brooklyn Paper