Hello, neighbors of Assembly District 52-Brooklyn Heights, Downtown Brooklyn, Cobble Hill, Boerum Hill, Carroll Gardens, and all the vibrant blocks in between. I'm Brett Wynkoop, and I'm running for State Assembly because I believe our district deserves a representative who understands the real challenges facing working families, renters, professionals, small business owners, and everyday New Yorkers like you.
Born in Ohio but shaped by a lifetime connected to New York, I come from a family with deep roots in service and resilience. My father served 30 years in the U.S. Navy on submarines, and my mother was a dedicated registered nurse-both instilled in me a strong sense of duty to community and country. My ancestors on the Wynkoop side arrived in New Amsterdam with the early Dutch settlers and fought in the Revolutionary War, while my mother's family immigrated legally from what is now Slovakia in 1913. Growing up as the son of a military family, I moved around the country, attending 12 public schools in 12 years-from suburban Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut to inner-city schools in California. Those experiences taught me that what unites us as Americans far outweighs our differences, a lesson I carry every day in our diverse Brooklyn neighborhoods.
I graduated from the United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, New York, where I earned my commission as an ensign in the U.S. Naval Reserve and a U.S. Coast Guard license as Third Mate. I served honorably as an officer on Navy and civilian vessels, reaching the rank of lieutenant before transitioning to shore-based work. In New York City, I've built a career in technology as a computer systems engineer specializing in Unix, networking, and information security. I helped advocate for auditable voting machines with paper ballots-testifying before the City Council to ensure our elections remain transparent and trustworthy.
I've worn many hats here in New York: small business owner of a pioneering sailing school and charter business at the 79th Street Boat Basin, a mobile two-way radio shop serving gypsy cab drivers in Washington Heights, and an IT consulting firm that was devastated by the 9/11 attacks. After the COVID pandemic led to layoffs from my role in healthcare site reliability, I returned to the water I love, now captaining charter sailboats up to 50 feet and larger tour and dinner vessels carrying up to 300 passengers on New York Harbor and the Hudson River. I also teach computer science part-time, helping the next generation build skills for tomorrow's economy.
My commitment to public service runs deep. As a teenage amateur radio operator (ham radio), I provided emergency communications during California wildfires and New England hurricanes. On September 11, 2001, I rode my bike from Brooklyn to help coordinate relief efforts near Ground Zero, working long hours with fellow operators to keep lines of communication open when they were needed most. I've also supported the arts, running the Brooklyn Repertory Opera Company until financial challenges forced us to close.
Today, I'm running because I've seen firsthand how Albany's decisions affect our daily lives-rising costs, housing pressures, unreliable energy bills, and a justice system that sometimes fails working people. As your Assemblymember, I'll fight for practical solutions that put District 52 families first: affordable living, strong communities, fair courts, reliable energy, job opportunities, and protections for our personal freedoms and privacy.
I'm not a career politician-I'm a neighbor, a veteran, a small business survivor, a teacher, a captain, and someone who's always stepped up when our city needed help. Together, we can build a stronger, fairer Brooklyn where everyone has a chance to thrive.
Let's work for District 52-contact me today to talk, volunteer, or get involved. I'm ready to listen and ready to serve.