History of Gale Brewer in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: March 29, 2026

Gale Brewer is a Democratic politician in New York. She served as the Manhattan Borough President from 2014 to 2021. Before that, and again since 2022, she has represented the 6th New York City Council district. Her career has been dedicated to public service in New York City.

Sections (2)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements

September 6, 1951: Birth of Gale Brewer

On September 6, 1951, Gale Arnot Brewer was born. She is an American Democratic politician from New York.

Others born on this day/year

1969: Graduation from the Winsor School

In 1969, Gale Brewer graduated from the Winsor School in Boston.

1973: Bachelor's degree from Bennington College

In 1973, Gale Brewer obtained a bachelor's degree from Bennington College.

1975: Director of scheduling for Mary Anne Krupsak

From 1975 to 1978, Gale Brewer served as director of scheduling for Mary Anne Krupsak, the former Lieutenant Governor of New York.

1978: Chief of staff to Ruth Messinger

From 1978 to 1990, Gale Brewer was chief of staff to then-New York City Council member Ruth Messinger.

1990: Director of the New York City Office of Federal Relations

From 1990 to 1994, Gale Brewer was director of the New York City Office of Federal Relations in New York in the administration of David Dinkins.

1990: Master of Public Administration from Harvard

In 1990, Gale Brewer earned a Master of Public Administration from Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government.

1994: Deputy Public Advocate for Intergovernmental Affairs

From 1994 to 1998, Gale Brewer was Deputy Public Advocate for Intergovernmental Affairs under Mark Green.

1997: Second bachelor's from Columbia University

In 1997, Gale Brewer earned a second bachelor's degree from the Columbia University School of General Studies.

1998: End of term as Deputy Public Advocate for Intergovernmental Affairs

In 1998, Gale Brewer's term as Deputy Public Advocate for Intergovernmental Affairs ended.

2000: Named one of "50 New Yorkers to Watch"

In 2000, Gale Brewer was cited by the New York Daily News as #20 of "50 New Yorkers to Watch".

2002: Chaired the Select Committee on Technology in Government

From 2002 to 2009, Gale Brewer chaired the Select Committee on Technology in Government (now the Committee on Technology).

2002: Began Serving on the New York City Council

In 2002, Gale Brewer began serving on the New York City Council, representing the 6th district.

2002: Representing the 6th New York City Council district

In 2002, Gale Brewer started representing the 6th New York City Council district.

2003: Re-election to the City Council

In the 2003 re-election vote, Gale Brewer received over 80% of the votes cast to the New York City Council.

June 2004: Published a study on expanding digital opportunity in NYC public schools

In June 2004, Gale Brewer's committee published a study and recommendations titled Expanding Digital Opportunity in New York City Public Schools: Profiles of Innovators and Leaders Who Make a Difference, in conjunction with CUNY Hunter College.

2005: Re-election to the City Council

In the 2005 re-election vote, Gale Brewer received over 80% of the votes cast to the New York City Council.

2009: End of the term as the chair of the Select Committee on Technology in Government

In 2009, Gale Brewer finished her term as the chair of the Select Committee on Technology in Government.

2009: Re-election to the City Council

In the 2009 re-election vote, Gale Brewer received over 80% of the votes cast to the New York City Council.

2010: Introduced the first Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) bill

In 2010, Gale Brewer introduced the first Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) bill.

February 2013: Announced candidacy for Manhattan Borough president

In February 2013, Gale Brewer, ineligible to run for re-election to the City Council due to term limits, announced she would run for Manhattan Borough president.

September 10, 2013: Won the Democratic primary for Manhattan Borough President

On September 10, 2013, Gale Brewer won the Democratic primary for Manhattan Borough President, taking nearly 40% of the vote.

November 5, 2013: Won the general election for Manhattan Borough President

On Tuesday, November 5, 2013, Gale Brewer won the general election for Manhattan Borough President.

2013: End of term at the New York City Council

In 2013, Gale Brewer completed her term at the New York City Council.

January 2014: Assumed office as Manhattan Borough President

In January 2014, Gale Brewer assumed office as Manhattan Borough President.

January 2014: Borough President of Manhattan

In January 2014, Gale Brewer became the 27th Borough President of the New York City borough of Manhattan.

2017: Re-elected Manhattan Borough President

In 2017, Gale Brewer was re-elected as the Manhattan Borough President.

2018: Honorary Doctorate from Metropolitan College of NY

In 2018, the Metropolitan College of NY awarded Gale Brewer an honorary doctorate for her work on critical issues facing New York City.

November 2019: Ranked Choice Voting passed in New York City

In November 2019, Ranked Choice Voting passed in New York City when the Charter Revisions Commission put forth a referendum before NYC voters, which passed with nearly 75% of the vote.

December 2020: Announced Candidacy for City Council

In December 2020, Gale Brewer announced her candidacy for her former City Council seat in the 2021 New York City Council election.

2020: Served as an alternate elector in the presidential election

In the 2020 United States presidential election, Gale Brewer served as an alternate elector, replacing Christine Quinn.

November 2, 2021: Defeated Nancy Sliwa in City Council Election

On November 2, 2021, Gale Brewer defeated Republican Nancy Sliwa in the New York City Council election with over 82% of the vote.

December 2021: End of term as Manhattan Borough President

In December 2021, Gale Brewer's term as the 27th Borough President of Manhattan ended.

2021: Ineligible to seek re-election as Manhattan Borough President

Due to term limits for borough presidents, in 2021, Gale Brewer was ineligible to seek re-election as Manhattan Borough President.

2021: Ranked Choice Voting first used in a New York City election

In February of 2021, Ranked Choice Voting was first used in a New York City election.

January 2022: Represents the 6th New York City Council district

In January 2022, Gale Brewer began representing the 6th New York City Council district, a position she previously held from 2002 to 2013.

2023: Running for the City Council's new 6th district

In 2023, Gale Brewer is running for the City Council's new 6th district.

2023: Son appointed to Buffalo State University Council

In 2023, Gale Brewer's son, Mo Sumbundu, was appointed by Governor Kathy Hochul to the Buffalo State University Council.

2023: Sara Lind not reappointed to Community Board 7

In 2023, Sara Lind, Gale Brewer's main progressive Democratic primary challenger in 2021, was not reappointed to Manhattan Community Board 7 when her position came up for renewal.