Politics

78th Assembly District Underdog: Ricky Martinez

Ricardo Martinez is a true underdog.The longtime Bedford Park resident is running for office in the 78th Assembly District (Bedford Park, Fordham, Crotona) against a living legend in Jose Rivera, the well-known patresfamilias of a Bronx political dynasty. He has no campaign money to speak of. And he’s battling bone cancer.

80th Assembly Underdogs: Adam Bermudez

The youngest candidate in a crowded field for the 80th Assembly District primary, Adam Bermudez, 29, worked as a reporter for the Bronx Times and as a freelance public affairs consultant for other campaigns before deciding to run for office himself.

Bronx Assembly Candidate Channels Inner Pop Star, Asks People to Vote for Him, Maybe

With all the hoopla surrounding incumbent Assemblywoman Naomi Rivera and well-heeled challenger Mark Gjonaj in the Bronx’s 80th Assembly District primary race, it’s been difficult for underdog Adam Bermudez, a former reporter with the Bronx Times, to get noticed. Like other attention-seekers, Bermudez has turned to youtube with a video parody of Carly Rae Jepsen’s super hit, “Call Me Maybe.” Above, you’ll find Bermudez’s version, “Vote for Me Maybe,” which shows the 29-year-old walking around Morris Park and other parts of the district with a guitar and talking/singing to voters and asking for donations.

Diaz and Others Throw Weight Behind Armory Ice Center Plan (Cabrera Still Undecided)

Last Thursday, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. and a handful of local officials came out in strong support of a proposal to turn the Kingsbridge Armory into a world-class ice sports center. The video above shows snippets from the new conference, which also featured the project’s two most prominent supporters — former NY Rangers star Mark Messier and gold medal winning figure skater Sarah Hughes. Lehman College President Ricardo Fernandez also attended to show his support.

Silver: No Investigation Into Rivera’s Hiring Needed

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver released a public statement saying there is no need for an investigation into Assemblywoman Naomi Rivera’s hiring of Tommy Torres, a City Council hopeful in Brooklyn who is reportedly romantically involved with Rivera. Here’s the statement: There are no violations to investigate regarding the employment of Mr. Thomas Torres by the New York State Assembly.   As part of our standard employment review process, Assembly counsel double checks to make sure employment by an individual doesn’t violate the Assembly’s dual employment policy. Counsel’s prior approval is required to ensure there are no conflicts of interest or


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Cabrera Calls Out Speaker Quinn on Chick-fil-A Issue

After recent confirmation that the fast food restaurant’s president Dan Cathy has used profits to donate millions of dollars to anti-marriage-equality organizations, New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn sent a letter to New York University president John Sexton two weekend’s ago asking him to end the school’s contract with Chick-fil-A. The school’s Weinstein Residence Hall food court is the only Chick-fil-A location in the city. Bronx Council Member Fernando Cabrera issued a statement opposing Quinn’s letter on Aug. 3, calling it an abuse of power and not representative of the entire Council.

NW Bronx Fall Primary Preview

The northwest Bronx saw an early, and extremely competitive, primary in June for the 13th Congressional District. In September, there will be a handful of Democratic primaries for state races in northwest Bronx districts. Some will be competitive. Others, probably not so much.