Bronx Democrat Klein Strikes Senate Power-Share Deal With GOP

In an unprecedented move that has angered local Democratic lawmakers, Bronx State Senator Jeff Klein and his conference of Independent Democrats struck a power-sharing agreement with Republicans last week.

Race to Replace Norwood/Bedford Park Councilman Heats Up

Last week, Assemblyman Jeff Dinowitz showed up at Scott Tower in Bedford Park to address the audience at the November Community Board 7 general meeting to talk about a few issues facing the state legislator. He also brought along a friend and ally, Andy Cohen, who he introduced as the Aging Committee Chair of Community Board 8, which includes Kingsbridge and Riverdale.

Bronx Senator Klein Forms Coalition With Republicans

The full Bronx News Roundup (we’re back!) will cover this in more depth later on today, but this is big news in the Bronx and the rest of New York: Democratic State Senator Jeff Klein, whose 34th District now stretches from the far east Bronx to Riverdale (including a narrow stretch of Bedford Park), and his Independent caucus have formed a “bipartisan governing coalition” to lead the State Senate.

Bronx BP Scraps Citywide Bid, Running for Re-Election

After exploring and raising significant funds to make a run at a citywide position, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. announced today that he has decided to scrap his bid for Public Advocate and seek re-election as borough president in 2013. Diaz explained his decision to supporters in an email, saying “the needs of the people of the Bronx are foremost on my mind and in my heart.”

Northwest Bronx Election Results All Over the Map

If you live in the Norwood Newscoverage area, which includes Norwood, Bedford Park, University Heights, Kingsbridge Heights, Fordham and Fordham-Bedford, you may very well be in store for new representation in state government come Jan. 1.

Riverdale Pols to Push Board 8 Member for Council Seat

For a while, Cliff Stanton had candidacy for the 11th Council District, which includes Norwood, Bedford Park and Riverdale, all to himself. Now, however, Riverdale’s political establishment, including current 11th District rep Oliver Koppell, is throwing all of its weight behind another candidate, Community Board 8 member Andrew Cohen.

The Zen Master of Bronx Politics

Alex Kratz

Election Day Dispatches: Long, But Efficient Lines at Mosholu Montefiore Community Center

Early this afternoon, there about 15 people waiting in the line to vote outside the Mosholu Montefiore Community Center poll site at the corner of Dekalb Avenue and Gun Hill Road. Not too bad, unless you consider the additional 100 people voting inside.

Election Day Dispatches: Heat and Long Lines at JHS 80

Poll site JHS 80, which is poll site number X0037, located on 149 East Mosholu Parkway, had about 35 people waiting on line to vote. Robert Cruz, a recent voter, is disappointed with the process of voting this site presented him with. He said he waited nearly an hour to be able to vote in a cafeteria lacking air ventilation. “Waiting almost an hour can discourage people from voting,” he says.