After Opponents Skip Debate for Fundraiser, Katie Brennan Takes to Reddit for 3-Hour Policy Discussion
After the HCDO-backed candidates dropped out of a scheduled debate at the last minute to attend a high-dollar fundraiser, Assembly candidate Katie Brennan turned to Reddit, answering questions directly from voters for more than three hours in the popular r/jerseycity forum.
The wide-ranging "Ask Me Anything" session drew more than 15,000 views and 100+ comments on Wednesday evening. The discussion covered New Jersey's school funding formula, zoning reform, how to fix NJ Transit, tenant protections, and more.
Brennan, a housing policy expert running independently with Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla in the 32nd Legislative District, engaged in detailed policy discussions that participants praised for their depth and specificity.
"Sometimes the internet really is real life," said Katie Brennan. "The folks on Reddit asked some of the most thoughtful, detailed policy questions I've gotten so far on the campaign."
During the AMA, Brennan addressed questions about unconscionable rent increases, corporate landlords using algorithmic pricing to set rents, and the need to fully fund NJ Transit. She also outlined her opposition to the Turnpike widening project and detailed her plan to fix New Jersey's school funding formula, which has cut over $270 million annually from Jersey City schools.
A recurring theme throughout the discussion was political independence. Brennan and her running mate, Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla, are the only slate in the race running without backing from political machines or party bosses.
"I want to be able to vote my conscience and not have anyone, whether it’s a party boss or their donors or their consultants, tell me how to vote or when to keep quiet," Brennan wrote. "I’m not running to be a cog in any machine, and I know that I’m going to introduce bills and speak out on issues that the machine won’t be happy about."
Brennan highlighted that she and Bhalla are the only candidates not accepting donations from contractors supporting the Turnpike expansion, corporate landlords, or lobbyists who attempted to eliminate Hoboken's rent control ordinance.
“Ravi and I are the only slate NOT taking money from the various contractors and other organizations supporting the Turnpike widening. This is an $11 billion boondoggle that nobody asked for, and I’m not sure how the other candidates will be effective advocates against it when they’ve taken hundreds of thousands of dollars from these groups,” Brennan wrote.
The online format allowed voters to go into the weeds on policy, something Brennan said often gets lost in traditional debates. Commenters asked detailed questions about zoning, PATH service, eviction protections, and climate resilience, with Brennan providing specific policy proposals in response.
Reddit users thanked Brennan for her in depth answers and for her advocacy as a private citizen, referencing legislation she helped pass that protects survivors of sexual assault as well as local policies like Jersey City’s Right to Counsel and the Journal Square Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance requiring more affordable units:
“Just wanted to chime in to say that it’s really impressive and inspiring how legislatively productive you’ve been as a private citizen,” wrote u/JNmbrs.
“Thanks for the answer, also just read your op-ed,” wrote u/arrowtoknees. “Appreciate your continued emphasis on [school funding] and I also like your suggestion for the 3 year refresh rather than a one and done plan!”
“Agree with basically everything you said, but thank you for calling out the raids to the [NJ Transit] capital budget! The short-term thinking by the current and past administrations is atrocious,” wrote u/calmerstreets.
The Democratic primary election for the 32nd Legislative District, covering parts of Jersey City and Hoboken, will be held on June 10, 2025.
This marks the first competitive Assembly race in the district in decades following the elimination of the controversial "county line" ballot system.
Read Katie Brennan’s full Reddit AMA thread here: