Michael Heller announced on Jan. 10 that he is running for re-election as a member of the New York State Democratic Committee, representing the 81st Assembly District, which covers much of the Northwest Bronx includes some or all of the neighborhoods of Norwood, Bedford Park, Wakefield, Woodlawn, Kingsbridge, Fieldston, Riverdale, North Riverdale and Spuyten Duyvil.

 

Heller said he has a life-long passion for public service and Democratic Party politics. A former president of the Benjamin Franklin Reform Democratic Club, located in Kingsbridge, Heller said he has held every executive position over his 40-year membership.

 

As previously reported, during his time with the Benjamin Franklin Reform Democratic Club, allegations regarding a reported, lack of transparency around the mail-in ballot voting process for local candidates running for elected office who were seeking the club’s endorsement were brought against Heller [and the club] at one point during the COVID-19 pandemic. The former club president denied any wrongdoing.

 

Dating back to high school, Heller said he has volunteered in countless campaigns. Holding a bachelor’s degree in political science, and a master’s degree in public administration from Columbia University, Heller said he has had an extensive career in public affairs and community/government relations.

This includes at Montefiore Health System / Albert Einstein College of Medicine, NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi & North Central Bronx, Maimonides Medical Center, St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center (Paterson), and the New York City Transit Authority.

 

Heller, a former district manager of Bronx Community Board 8 (CB8) and chair of the Bronx CB8 Traffic and Transportation committee, currently serves as president of the Association of Riverdale Co-ops/Condominiums.

 

Describing himself as a common-sense, progressive Democrat, Heller says he looks for consensus on policies that build the Democratic Party statewide. He adds that he looks forward to another year of leadership, electing Democrats, and re-electing U.S. President Joe Biden and U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris.

 

To read some previous coverage related to this topic, click here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here and here.

 

Democratic State Committee Member Morgan Evers and Democrat Aaron Stayman, both members of the Bronx’s Unity Democratic Club, announced on Jan. 18 that they were partnering to also run as New York State Democratic Committee Member candidates in the 81st Assembly District.

 

Meanwhile, self-described as a longtime Democratic Party volunteer and attorney, Ben Jackson announced his candidacy for the role of male Democratic district leader in the 81st Assembly District in December 2023.

 

Click here, here and here to read our other coverage on this topic and other candidates running for election.