The race for the 15th Congressional District seat may be more than a year away, but it’s already the hottest political ticket, with another politico jumping into the race.

Assemblyman Michael Blake, the 79th Assembly District representative for the West Bronx and the vice chair of the Democratic National Committee, announced a run for the seat, which will be left vacant by the long-time officeholder, Congressman Jose Serrano. Serrano, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease, announced last month that he will not seek re-election.

Blake’s rollout of his announcement veered away from standard rollouts. It was made via email while he was in Atlanta, Ga, according to his Twitter post.

 

I’m in. I’m running for Congress. Join us at https://t.co/eFDUDIw4dh #BelieveInTheBx pic.twitter.com/FsfSkEU1C8

— Michael Blake (@MrMikeBlake) April 24, 2019

“When we come together and Believe in The Bronx, anything is possible – for our families, for our communities and for our collective future. With a member of Congress in Washington fighting for better-paying jobs, fighting for affordable housing, fighting for better health care coverage and education for children, fighting to protect the dignity of immigrants and our South Bronx families, and fighting for the funding and resources that our neighborhoods need, we will accomplish extraordinary things together. I want to be that fighter for you, which is why I have decided to run for the 15th Congressional District in The Bronx,” Blake wrote to supporters.

For Blake, the prospect of running presents a major gamble. By announcing a run, Blake won’t be able to run for office since 2015. Before becoming an Assemblyman, Blake worked as a White House aide to President Barack Obama.

“I am asking the people of the 15th Congressional District to give me the opportunity to be our next voice in Washington, D.C. where I will use my federal and local experience along with my vision focused on equity to represent our district,” wrote Blake.

Blake is the latest candidate in a race that’s already drawing a slew of politicos vying for the seat that will be decided in a June 2020 primary.

Along with Blake, Councilman Ruben Diaz Sr. and newcomers Jonathan Ortiz and Tomas Ramos have declared a run for the 15th Congressional District, which spans the South Bronx. Ortiz was the first to declare a run well before Serrano had announced he will not be seeking the seat.

Other names under consideration include Councilman Ritchie Torres, who remains in the exploratory phase. For most candidates the exploratory phase usually involves whether a prospective candidate can properly finance the campaign.

Blake has proven to be an effective fundraiser, raising $359,748 during his unsuccessful run for New York City Public Advocate early this year. Though he won the Bronx, his support was concentrated to certain sections of the Bronx.

With Blake running for Congress, he cannot run for re-election in the Assembly (election law bars candidates to run for both a state and federal seat at the same time). His announcement will trigger a batch of candidates seeking to secure his Assembly seat come 2021.