Chippewa Democratic Club members said that over forty people gathered at the club’s meeting hall for a fundraiser and general election kick-off event in support of City Council District 13 Democratic nominee, Shirley Aldebol, on Monday, Aug. 11. The seat is currently held since 2024 by Republican City Councilwoman Kristy Mamorato, the only Bronx Republican in the City Council, after Mamorato caused an upset in the previously long-held Democratic East Bronx district, and unseated its most recent Democrat, former Council Member Marjorie Velázquez in the 2023 general election.

 

They said the event was co-sponsored by Democrats, State Sen. Nathalia Fernandez (S.D. 34), Assembly Member Michael Benedetto (A.D. 82), and City Council Majority Leader Amanda Farías (C.D. 18), in conjunction with three Democratic groups, the Chippewa Democratic Club, the Eleanor Roosevelt Democratic Club, and the Liberty Democratic Association.

 

“I am very grateful for the support of these incredible Bronx elected officials and Democratic clubs,” Aldebol said. “Thank you to all of the volunteers and donors who’ve supported our campaign so far.”

 

The Chippewa Democratic Club is one of New York City’s oldest and, according to its website, “most respected” Democratic organizations. Founded in 1898, the east Bronx-based club members say it has “a long and proud history of championing progressive values and advocating for the needs of our community.” The 82nd Assembly District is represented by Assemblyman Michael Benedetto.

 

There are two Eleanor Roosevelt Democratic Clubs in New York City, one, according to its website being “the official Democratic club of New York State’s 74th Assembly District Parts B and D, broadly encompassing Midtown Manhattan East, Union Square, Kips Bay, Turtle Bay, Flatiron District, Tudor City, and Murray Hill, which is currently represented by Assemblyman Harvey Epstein. The second is based in The Bronx’s Co-Op City. It is the latter club which joined the Aug. 11th meeting.

 

The Liberty Democratic Association is a Bronx Democratic association according to its social media channels. According to other sources, the association was founded in 2006, is located in the 80th Assembly District in The Bronx, promotes the principles of the Democratic Party, and looks to provide a strong and active democratic organization in the northeast section of the Bronx. The 80th Assembly District is represented by John Zaccaro Jr.

 

The Liberty Democrats endorsed former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo in the recent Democratic mayoral primary. Norwood News contacted the association to ask if it has yet endorsed any mayoral candidate in the general election and will share any details we receive.

 

Meanwhile, Democratic district leaders Christine Culpepper (A.D. 80), John Doyle (A.D. 82 Part B), Ardy Malziu (A.D. 80), Rebecca Nieves (A.D. 82 Part B), Tremaine O’Garro (A.D. 82 Part A), and State Committee member Malcom Gray (A.D. 80) said of Aldebol, “Our organizations and our party are united behind Shirley as we move towards the general election.”

They added, “Shirley has a deep background in organizing people, particularly working people, to achieve better pay and working conditions. She will bring her skillset, along with her decades of relationships, down to City Hall so District 13’s voice can finally be heard. We strongly urge everyone to vote for Shirley Aldebol on or before November 4th.” Aldebol won the June Democratic primary, as reported, beating five other contenders, eventually earning around 56% of the vote.

 

Collectively, all three Democratic clubs said they were united and committed to regular phone banks and canvassing this fall to ensure Aldebol “has the support she needs to retake District 13th on November 4th!”

 

As reported, the 2023 hotly contested C.D. 13 general election which resulted in a 51.5% win by Mamorato to Velázquez‘s 47.9%, centered around concerns over public safety in the East Bronx, the contentious up-zoning of the Bruckner Boulevard housing development in Throggs Neck, and NYC Health + Hospitals’ Just Home project on the grounds of Jacobi Hospital at 1900 Seminole Avenue in Morris Park.

 

The latter initiative which was set to create around 70 studio and two-bedroom apartments, as well as access to on-site social services provided by licensed clinical social workers, peer workers, and specialists, as well as health services at Jacobi Hospital targeted at formerly incarcerated New Yorkers with life-threatening medical conditions.

 

Velázquez lost despite having been endorsed by the New York City Police Benevolent Association (NYC PBA). When elected in 2021, she became the first woman of color and the first Latina to win the district. She was preceded by Mark Gjonaj. New York City Mayor Eric Adams later appointed the former councilwoman to a tenant protection role in his administration.

 

Earlier this year, in March, Democrats, Gov. Kathy Hochul and Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson, joined other east Bronx elected officials for the governor’s announcement of a State investment win of $20 million for the East Bronx neighborhood of Morris Park, which may go some way towards appeasing those who voted red in 2023.

 

Meanwhile, Aldebol said of her city council campaign, “Every day, I am working hard to connect with and earn the support of voters across District 13, but I cannot do it alone. The continued support of Bronx Democratic Clubs and Elected Officials will be critical to flipping this seat in November. We need all hands on deck: knocking doors, making calls, hosting meet & greets, making contributions, and much more. Onward to November!”

Editor’s Note: This story has been updated to reflect the fact that it was the Eleanor Roosevelt Democratic Club based in Co-Op City and not the one based in Manhattan, which attended the Aug. 11th meeting. We apologize for the earlier error.