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.

Sarantopoulos officially won the nomination by 16 votes and will face Democrat Kayla Santosuosso in November for the seat currently held by term-limited Council Member Justin Brannan.

Standing before a packed crowd of elected officials, party

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