Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernández, representing the 80th Assembly District and candidate for Bronx Borough President, announced on Monday, Dec. 21, that she has been endorsed by her colleague and fellow Bronxite, Assemblyman Michael Blake, who represents the 79th Assembly District. The two have a history of working together at the State Assembly. 

In a press release announcing the endorsement, Blake touted Fernández’s “borough-wide experience as the Bronx regional representative for the Governor as well as her work building a diverse coalition of Bronxites to fight for criminal justice reform, equal housing opportunity and increased protections for the most vulnerable.” 

Blake said the COVID pandemic, coupled with rising economic inequity, health disparities, racial injustice and educational inequality creates an urgent need to unify Bronx leadership if the hope is to successfully recover and reimagine. “We must elect a borough president with a vision focused on creating equity and justice, the experience to build racial and cultural bridges, and a concrete plan to achieve her goals,” he said.  

“I firmly believe Nathalia Fernández is that person. She is uniquely qualified for the role, and has the clearest plan to elevate our borough to the world-class position Bronxites deserve,” he added, saying he was also encouraged by her commitment to establishing a small business task force focused on creating green jobs that would bring long-term sustainability to the borough.

Referencing her prior experience representing The Bronx as a staffer for Governor Andrew Cuomo, Blake said Fernández had also achieved success as a legislator, and had proposed action to deliver meaningful improvements to the borough post-COVID. “Nathalia is the champion we need, which is why I proudly endorse her for Bronx Borough President,” he said. 

The assemblyman co-sponsored the Andrew Kearse Act, Fernández’s landmark police reform bill, which requires law enforcement to provide medical and mental first aid to individuals in custody, and he looked on as it was signed into law by the governor in June 2020. As reported previously by Norwood News, the act is named for Andrew Kearse who died following an incident where he had been placed in police custody in the back of a police car and had pleaded with officers that he could not breathe. 

Senator Elizabeth Warren later introduced the Andrew Kearse Accountability for Denial of Medical Care Act on the federal level to hold federal law enforcement officials criminally liable for failure to obtain medical care to individuals experiencing medical distress while in custody. 

The Fernández campaign wrote that both legislators agree that increased protections are necessary for Bronxites who have experienced discrimination for their religious-based attire. To help this effort, Blake co-sponsored Fernández’s legislation to classify the removal, or threat of removing religious clothing as aggravated harassment in the second degree. 

In response to Blake’s endorsement, Fernández said, “Assemblyman Michael Blake has been an invaluable partner in the fight for criminal justice and police reform.” She added, “His effort in bringing jobs and justice to the borough is an inspiring platform that I hope to build upon as Borough President. I am honored to have his endorsement.” 

According to the Fernández campaign, the assemblywoman has fought to unify the borough and help working families get ahead. As borough president, her campaign said she will seek environmental justice, improve transportation access, prioritize the development of affordable housing, and ensure fair rezoning. 

If elected, Fernández would be the first Latina to hold a borough-wide office in New York City history.