Bronx County Democratic Party Endorses State Sen. Brian Benjamin for NYC Comptroller

By SÍLE MOLONEY

State Sen. Brian Benjamin received the endorsement of the Bronx County Democratic Party on Thursday, Feb. 24, in his bid to win the seat for New York City comptroller. Representatives for the Party said it is committed to helping elect Democrats across the borough who will continue to fight for progress and for the residents of the community. The Party’s representatives said the endorsement was based on Benjamin’s extensive experience handling investments, and his background in finance, a crucial skill, they said, for the job of city comptroller. Combined with his work as chair of the Budget and Revenue

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark and New York City Police Commissioner Dermot Shea announced on Thursday, Feb. 24, that a Bronx man has been indicted for the sex-trafficking of a 28-year-old New Jersey woman, and is also under another indictment for sex-trafficking a 15-year-old Brooklyn girl. In both cases he allegedly beat and choked the victims. Clark said the defendant, Reginald Cooke, AKA Reggie, 31, of Anderson Avenue in Highbridge, was arraigned on Thursday on three counts of sex trafficking, second-degree promoting prostitution, second-degree strangulation, criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation, fourth-degree promoting prostitution, third-degree assault, fourth-degree

By MARGARET GROARKE

Presidential elections are important. But your vote also matters, probably even MORE so, in local elections. In New York City elections, we choose the people who will be in charge of many of the things that affect our daily lives. If you care about the quality of local schools, the way NYPD polices your community, the state of the parks, how safe it is to walk, drive or bike on our streets, those are all issues that are dealt with by the mayor and the City Council. So, why did five times as many people vote in the

By DAVID GREENE

City Council candidate in the District 11 Democratic June primary race, Abigail Martin, announced on Tuesday, Feb. 23, that she has received the endorsement of NYC Kids PAC, the only parent-led political action committee focused on NYC public schools. NYC Kids PAC opposes the privatization of public schools, and advocates for the elimination of high-stakes testing and the reduction of class size and school overcrowding, among other issues. The organization advances its goals by supporting candidates for office who have demonstrated a commitment to improving New York City’s public schools. Martin’s campaign said she is a parent of

By SÍLE MOLONEY

On Thursday, Feb. 18, it was announced that Eric Dinowitz, teacher and Democratic male district leader for the 81st Assembly District, who is running for City Council in the 11th District, for which a special election is being held in March, is building on his existing coalition of support, and has received additional trade union endorsements from 32BJ SEIU, DC37, and the Hotel Trades Council (HTC). 32BJ SEIU is the largest property service workers union in the country, and represents over 175,000 members across the northeast and Florida – including a critical mass in New York City. DC37 is

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Former New York City Council Speaker, Melissa Mark-Viverito, announced her endorsement, on Monday, Feb. 22, of Jessica Haller, City Council candidate in the 11th District special election, which will be held on Tuesday, March 23. “Jessica has the skills to lead our City toward a more just and equitable future, and help ensure that all women – including mothers, women of color, and LGBTQ womxn – have a passionate advocate representing their needs on the NYC City Council,” she said. “I strongly urge voters to reject the machine politics, and rank Jessica #1 on their ballot on March 23rd.”

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Freelance filmmaker, business owner, and father, Kevin Pazmino describes himself as someone who has worked hard, evolved, and taken some chances to get to where he’s at right now, in life. He acknowledges having availed of government programs which have facilitated his career progression, yet he is opposed to big government. A supporter of former President Donald Trump, he is the latest candidate to join the District 11 City Council race to fill the seat vacated on Dec. 31 by former City Councilman, Andrew Cohen, and his platform is based around community-based solutions, and community integration. “The thing

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Elisa Crespo, education liaison at the Bronx borough president’s office and candidate for City Council in the 15th District race, for which a special election has been called on March 23, has been endorsed by Samelys López, Bronx community organizer and former Congressional candidate. López, who was profiled last year by the Norwood News, won around 14 percent of the final vote in a crowded 15th congressional district primary race in June 2020 which was ultimately won by then Councilman, and now Congressman, Ritchie Torres, who went on to win the general election in November. López announced her endorsement of

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Bitta Mostofi, commissioner of the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs, issued a statement, on Feb. 18, in response to U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Congresswoman Linda Sanchez (D-CA) unveiling the U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021. The bill would create a pathway to citizenship for approximately 11 million undocumented immigrants, most of whom have been long-standing, essential members of various U.S. communities. The bill also places a strong emphasis on the integration of immigrants by increasing access to citizenship, strengthening labor protections, addressing naturalization and other backlogs, expanding access to legal counsel, providing grants for legal services, expanding caps

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Politics

Bronx County Democratic Party Endorses State Sen. Brian Benjamin for NYC Comptroller

Op-Ed: Why You Shouldn’t Just Vote In the Presidential Election

District 11 June Primary Race: Abigail Martin Endorsed by NYC Kids PAC for City Council

District 11 City Council Race: Eric Dinowitz Receives Support of Additional Trade Unions

District 11 City Council Race: Melissa Mark Viverito Endorses Jessica Haller

Update: Elections 2021 – Kevin Pazmino on Community, the Economy & Policing

Update: In District 15 City Council Race, Samelys López Endorses Elisa Crespo

Commissioner Mostofi Welcomes Introduction of New Citizenship Act, Warns of Potential Scams