Candidate for New York City Council’s 14th District, Adolfo Abreu, announced Nov. 14, his campaign’s endorsement from the New York City Democratic Socialists (NYC-DSA), a self-described, people-powered force for working-class communities and democratic socialism across the five boroughs.

Since announcing his candidacy in August, Abreu has also received the endorsement of Tenants PAC and, according to his campaign, continues to garner support from an array of community leaders and activists. They say he is well-positioned to be the front runner in this race.

 

“I am honored to receive the endorsement of NYC-DSA,” Abreu said via a written press release. “I am looking forward to governing together to build power for working-class communities and build economic democracy in the Bronx and [in] New York City.”

 

As organizing director for the Northwest Bronx Community & Clergy Coalition, Abreu previously worked with NYC-DSA and tenant organizations across the state as part of the Housing Justice for All Coalition.

 

In 2019, the coalition took credit for the passing of a historic package of rent reform legislation into law that the group said strengthened tenant protections and closed loopholes that landlords exploited to displace low-income residents. Norwood News reported on these reforms and their impact on Bronx residents, at that time.

 

NYC-DSA said Abreu is one of a six-candidate slate of democratic socialists running to defund the NYPD, and to fight for universal healthcare, a Homes Guarantee, and a Green New Deal for New York City.

 

“The six members of the NYC-DSA City Council slate are the leaders this city needs as we continue to face the devastating fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Chi Anunwa, NYC-DSA co-chair. “They all have deep ties to their communities and an absolute commitment to fighting alongside working New Yorkers for a democratic socialist agenda, including defunding the NYPD and funding the social infrastructure we actually need — education, healthcare and housing.”

 

The son of a single mother from the Dominican Republic, and a lifelong resident of District 14, Abreu said he has committed to govern with community members to transform the Bronx “from the ground up.” His campaign said he is a community organizer with deep relationships in the district, has previously supported and defended progressive candidates as field director for State Senators Gustavo Rivera and Alessandra Biaggi, and has managed participatory budgeting and constituent services operations as deputy chief of staff in City Council District 15.