A few short weeks before the Bronx Conservative Party was set to take control in the Bronx’s 13th City Council District on Jan. 1, 2024, thanks to an upset by then-Republican/Conservative City Councilwoman-elect Kristy Marmorato over incumbent Democrat, Marjorie Velázquez, members of the Conservative Party held their annual Christmas celebration for their supporters in Morris Park, as well as a subsequent holiday toy giveaway in the Throggs Neck section.

 

As reported, Velázquez took office in January 2022 as the councilwoman for District 13, which covers the neighborhoods of Allerton, City Island, Country Club, Edgewater Park, Ferry Point, Locust Point, Morris Park, Pelham Bay, Pelham Gardens, Pelham Parkway, Schuylerville, Silver Beach, Spencer Estates, Throggs Neck, Van Nest, Waterbury LaSalle, Westchester Square, and Zerega. The councilwoman had debated Marmorato last November ahead of the general election, touching on a number of contentious topics for community residents, as reported.

 

In a flier announcing the annual party, Gonzalo Duran, vice chairman of the Bronx Conservative Party, leader of veterans group, Devil Dog USA, and district leader of the Bronx’s 79th Assembly District, told supporters, “This marks our first holiday celebration in quite some time, and given our recent heightened activity, we are enthusiastic about making it the first of many as we approach the New Year.”

 

Assembly District 79 incorporates the neighborhoods of Concourse Village, Melrose, Morrisiana, Claremont, Belmont, and East Tremont.

 

The party was held on Saturday, Dec. 9, at Addeo’s of the Bronx, located at 1056 Morris Park Avenue. According to Duran, the celebration was attended by nearly 50 people, including local residents and members of both the Conservative Party and the Republican Party. Duran told Norwood News, “They shared a meal while engaging in political discussions in the holiday spirit.”

 

He added, “Patrick McManus, chairman of the Bronx Conservative Party, expressed gratitude to supporters and recognized the dedication of both longstanding and new party members. He also touched on his prospects for his upcoming second term as the party’s chairman.”

Duran continued, “Councilwoman-elect Marmorato conveyed her anticipation of collaborating with members of the Conservative Party.” He recalled Marmorato telling the crowd, “I look forward to partnering and working with the Bronx Conservative Party in the future.” Marmorato is a first-time candidate, wife and mother. Click click to read about her stance on various local issues.

 

Toasting the party’s victory in District 13, Duran told supporters, “That the victories achieved this year will continue.” He added that his goal was to host more events, including voter registration drives to increase “community engagement.” He continued, “As the event concluded, attendees departed with smiles on their faces, satisfied bellies, and optimistic thoughts for the future.”

 

Later, on Sunday, Dec. 17, the Bronx County Conservative Party held another holiday party for New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) residents of Throggs Neck Houses along with a toy giveaway for children.

 

Former State Sen. Guy Velella (S.D. 34) was the last Republican to serve Morris Park from 1986 to 2004. He pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy and was sentenced to one year in jail. Since Jan. 1, 2023, Democratic State Sen. Nathalia Fernandez represents redrawn Senate District 34, which covers parts of Clason Point, Castle Hill, Throggs Neck, Parkchester, Pelham, Country Club, Schuylerville, Pelham Bay and City Island.

Prior to redistricting, the district covered a large swath of the Northwest Bronx and parts of Van Cortlandt Village, Bedford Park and Jerome Park. As reported via our regular Neighborhood Notes updates, below is a history of the redistricting process in New York State following the 2020 Census, based on updates from a number of sources, including Ballotpedia.

 

 

2022

The maps/plans were submitted by the commission to the State legislature on Jan. 3, 2022. The State legislature voted on the first set of plans, rejecting it, and could not agree on a second set. Instead, elected representatives voted to approve alternate maps proposed by the Democratic Party. These alternate maps were ultimately approved on Feb. 2, 2022 by the State legislature, which holds a Democratic majority, and were signed off by Gov. Kathy Hochul on Feb. 3, 2022, as reported.

 

The NYS Republican Party immediately mounted a legal challenge to the vote, and a judge later overruled the February 2022 vote by the State legislature as unconstitutional, saying the February alternate maps were gerrymandered by Democrats. The court ordered new maps to be redrawn. Lawmakers had until April 11 2022 to submit new maps, but on April 4, 2022 a judge issued a stay on the case, which retained the prevailing alternate February 2022 maps in place, allowing candidates time to collect the required number of voter signatures needed to get on the ballot for the June 2022 Primaries before the deadline.

On April 20, 2023, the New York State Independent Redistricting Commission (IRC) voted 9-1 to advance a revised plan for state Assembly district boundaries and submit it to the legislature. The latest plan released on April 20, 2023 can be reviewed here.

City Council Redistricting has already been finalized, as reported.

 

For more recent election coverage, click here, here, here, here  here, here, here, and here.

 

More to follow.