A City Council candidate running in the Democratic primary to represent a new “Asian-majority district” in southern Brooklyn will do just about anything to win over voters — including telling them she’s a closet Republican.
Susan Zhuang, a longtime Democratic operative who previously worked as chief of staff for state Assemblyman William Colton, is seen on a home-security video obtained by The Post door-knocking a registered voter to solicit support in the June 27 primary.
During their conversation in Mandarin, and translated to English for The Post, Zhuang, 37, bluntly tells the man: “My ideas are the ideas of the Republican party.”
When the voter asked why she isn’t running as a Republican, Zhuang said it’s because Colton — who’s backing her campaign — “is a Democrat, so … it is not easy for me to run as a Republican.”
“At the time [I decided to run for office], I chose the Democratic party,” she told him, according to the video. “In the future, I can do both the Democratic and Republican parties.”
Wai Lee Chan, who is running against Zhuang in the Democratic primary, said the video shows just how “desperate” her opponent is.
“Ms. Zhuang has proven she will do and say anything to be elected,” said Chan, a former community engagement director for City Councilman Justin Brannan (D-Brooklyn).
Zhuang came under fire from some constituents after The Post reported in March that she boasted about spearheading major neighborhood relief efforts during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic three years ago — while she was living more than 700 miles away in Indiana.
The new 43rd Council district – covering Bensonhurst, New Utrecht, and parts of Dyker Heights and Sunset Park — is currently 54% Asian, making it the city’s first Asian majority district.
Although 52% of its registered voters are Democrat compared to 14% Republican, voters there overwhelmingly backed Republican Curtis Sliwa over eventual winner Eric Adams in the 2021 mayoral race. So Republicans feel the council seat is prime for the taking.
In the Republican primary, Ying Tan, a community activist, faces off against Vito LaBella, a retired NYPD lieutenant who previously ran unsuccessfully for state Senate.
LaBella is endorsed by both the Republican and Conservative parties.
Community activist Stanley Ng is also running in the Democratic primary.
Zhuang declined to address the video but issued a statement portraying herself as a centrist Democrat “unapologetic” about the political differences she has with Chan and others from the “far left of our party.”
“My moderate, common sense Democrat views may scare [Chan], … but it will be what will carry my campaign to victory,” Zhuang said.