Van Bramer is a progressive who was one of the few members of the City Council to endorse Cynthia Nixon's campaign in the 2018 New York gubernatorial election.

[1] Van Bramer was born and grew up in the New York City borough of Queens, the son of retired active union members.

[citation needed] Before joining the City Council, Van Bramer served as the Chief External Affairs Officer of the Queens Public Library.

[3] Van Bramer is one of four openly LGBTQ+ members of the New York City Council, alongside Corey Johnson, Daniel Dromm and Carlos Menchaca.

On January 22, 2014, Van Bramer was chosen to be the New York City Council's Majority Leader, the second-most powerful position in the body.