MORGAN EVERS, TEACHER and activist, launches her campaign for State Assembly in the northwest Bronx assembly district 81 covering some or all of Norwood, Bedford Park, Kingsbridge, Wakefield, Woodlawn, Riverdale, North Riverdale, Fieldston, Mosholu, and Spuyten Duyvil on Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025 at Connaughton’s Steakhouse in North Riverdale in the company of various supporters including the Unity Democratic Club. Video by Síle Moloney

Teacher, disability activist, and community leader Morgan Evers launched her campaign on Sunday, Dec. 7, for New York’s 81st Assembly District, the seat currently held by Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz for over 40 years, at a standing-room only, kick-off fundraiser at Connaughton’s steakhouse basement room in Riverdale.

 

The 81st assembly district covers some or all of the northwest Bronx neighborhoods of Norwood, Bedford Park, Kingsbridge, Wakefield, Woodlawn, Riverdale, North Riverdale, Fieldston, Van Cortlandt Village, Mosholu, and Spuyten Duyvil.

 

Evers’ campaign team said the event kicked off with more than $26,000 raised from over 200 donors, of which 85% are in-district, qualifying for the New York State Public Campaign Finance Program’s maximum of $175,000 in matching funds. According to the latest NYS Campaign Finance Board records, the assemblyman has received total contributions of $1,949,278.27 to date.  

 

“I am humbled by the overwhelming response I have received across this district since I explored a run this summer…and it’s clear the people in the Northwest Bronx are ready for change,” said Evers, 41, a wife and mother of two boys, to a full basement at Connaughton’s steakhouse, at which finger food was served.

She added, “While dangerous policies from Washington threaten New Yorkers every day, the 81st Assembly District has an entrenched politician who is more focused on building a political dynasty into a third decade of status quo governance rather than assuring us we have a trusted fighter who will protect us. I enter this race with a clear vision for a people-centered campaign focused on the neglected needs of working families and the local economy in this fast-changing district.”

 

Evers is running in the June 2026 Democratic primary in A.D. 81 challenging 16-term, incumbent Dinowitz, who her campaign team referred to as a foreclosure auction referee. As reported, Dinowitz was elected to the seat in 1994.

 

Her team said she is running on what were described as the evolving needs of the diverse district: addressing the affordability and housing crisis including saving the historic Amalgamated Houses, located at 98 Van Cortlandt Park South in Van Cortlandt Village, and the nation’s first cooperative complex and affordable housing model, which is facing imminent structural and financial demise.

They said Evers is also prioritizing equitable access to quality childcare in The Bronx for working parents like herself and her husband, also a teacher. Her team said the couple were in debt for five years after paying for childcare for their two sons on credit cards. “Affordability is nuanced and layered across this district,” Evers said. “In the coming weeks, my campaign will roll out a policy-specific platform based on my conversations with constituents across the 81st.”

 

Evers, who uses a mobility assistance cane due to a visual impairment resulting from a degenerative retinal disease diagnosed in her thirties, is also preparing proposals for state legislative action in response to what she said were the Trump administration’s attacks on disability rights.

 

As reported by the Rochester Institute of Technology, the U.S. Department of Justice removed nearly a dozen Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance guidelines for businesses earlier this year.

 

Evers’ campaign team said disability advocates point out that these moves are promises to roll back enforcement of the ADA including Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, which covers federal civil rights protections for educational services and programs for the disabled that receive funding from the U.S. Department of Education. Her team said the Trump administration has also more than signaled that the U.S. Department of Education will be dismantled.

“Though my eyesight is vanishing, my vision for a better Bronx is not,” Evers said. “Now, more than ever, we need bold leadership fighting on the front lines for New York during unprecedented attacks to our basic rights by a fascist federal government. We are done with establishment politicians guarding incumbency over the needs of constituents who are being targeted.”

 

Evers went on to talk about her experience of not being able to drive anymore due to her worsening sight and about the poor transportation connections in the borough, a point Norwood News had also previously raised with the Adams administration, specifically east-west connectivity. We were advised at the time that there was no immediate plan to incorporate an east-west subway or other rail connection in the borough in the MTA’s 5-year capital plan. We asked Evers what her plan was therefore.

 

“I just think there needs to be connection between these neighborhoods because people are living and working in different neighborhoods,” she said. “I know there are even students from Riverdale who need to get up to Bronx Science and that is a long bus ride and it’s not a long distance. It hurts the small businesses. It’s hurting communities. All of these neighborhoods are right next to each other and they couldn’t feel more further apart.”

 

She mentioned that there was supposed to be a footbridge over Tibbett’s Creek in Van Cortlandt Park to connect Riverdale and Woodlawn. “It’s just something that’s been talked about and talked about and talked about and talked about. It’s this status quo governance that I talked about that we’re not making any progress,” she said.

 

We mentioned how the end line of the 4 train is actually still in Norwood, even though it’s called “Woodlawn” because presumably it’s next to Woodlawn cemetery, but it’s not actually in the neighborhood of Woodlawn which, to get to, you have to switch to a bus. Right!” Evers said. “It’s.. we are forgotten! It’s sad that this isn’t in the five-year or the ten-year plan to connect neighborhoods throughout the Bronx because work needs really changed since COVID. People aren’t necessarily commuting into the same place in Midtown Manhattan. They’re working in all different spaces.”

 

As reported, the largest employer in The Bronx is Montefiore Health System, and healthcare workers in particular, as evidenced during the pandemic, need to get to work fast since patients need to be prioritized.

 

To travel from some parts of Throggs Neck in the southeast of The Bronx to Norwood, for example, in the north center, depending on the time of day, can sometimes take around two hours and involves at least one bus change. “It’s terrible!” Evers said. “See, not everyone is connecting into Manhattan. There are people who work all over The Bronx or who want to shop all over The Bronx or see family.”

 

As reported, Evers previously served as New York State Committee member for the 81st Assembly District during the 2022 to 2024 term. She later ran unsuccessfully once again as a State Democratic committee candidate in 2024. She is also a member of the Unity Democratic Club, which she co-founded in 2022 with breakaway progressives of the Benjamin Franklin Reform Democratic Club.

 

The assemblyman’s son, Eric Dinowitz, represents Council District 11, which covers much of the same geographical area of the northwest Bronx. Some constituents with whom Norwood News has spoken in the past are opposed to one family holding that much power in one area, while others, who may not necessarily oppose the policies or work carried out by the Dinowitzes have said they feel it’s time for some new local representation.

There is also a perception, which may have some basis, that constituents in some of the less affluent neighborhoods in both Assembly District 81 and the City Council District 11 like Norwood, Bedford Park, Kingsbridge Heights, and Wakefield don’t necessarily receive the same level of attention when it comes to constituency matters as their more affluent counterparts in places like Riverdale.

 

For a breakdown of how local constituents voted in the recent mayoral election, which was won mainly on the topic of affordability by Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, who had campaigned heavily in some of those less affluent neighborhoods, click here and see the attached chart above.

 

Norwood News asked Evers on Sunday why she chose to launch her campaign in Riverdale, as opposed to elsewhere in the borough. “Small businesses are going to be a big part of my campaign and it’s just a local small business (Connaughton’s). The family lives here in Riverdale and have owned this restaurant.. I think they’re second or third generation (Irish-American) owners so that was one of the reasons.”

 

Among the speakers at the event were Ellen Chapnick, former dean for social justice issues at Columbia Law School, Kathy Soloman, a local grassroots activist, Bereket Ghebremedhin, a community organizer, Brent Schneider, a community organizer, and female district leader for A.D. 81 Abigail Martin, who previously ran in 2021 against Eric Dinowitz, for the then-open City Council seat in C.D. 11.

 

George Diaz, who aimed to challenge the assemblyman for his seat in 2022 but did not make the ballot, was also seen in attendance at the event, as was Danielle Herbert Guggenheim, teacher, Norwood resident, and former vice-president of the Unity Democrats. Herbert Guggenheim ran unsuccessfully in the Democratic Primary in June 2025 for City Council District 11, earning 28% of the vote against Eric Dinowitz.

 

The last candidate to challenge Dinowitz somewhat successfully in a Democratic primary in A.D. 81 was Jessica Altagracia Woolford, in 2022. Norwood News profiled both the challenger and the incumbent that year. Altagracia Woolford was endorsed, among others, by Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio Cortez (NY-14), the New York Communities for Change. Sunrise NYC, and Community Voices Heard Power.

The two had debated each other on a number of matters, one being the voluntary intoxication loophole bill, which would provide the same legal protection to victims of rape who may become voluntarily intoxicated as it does to victims of rape who become involuntarily intoxicated (where their drinks may be spiked).

 

Altagracia ultimately lost the primary that year, garnering around 37.5% of the vote. She later ran in the general election under the Working Families Party ticket and lost in that election also, winning around 14% of the vote. Conservative Party candidate Kevin Pazmino earned about 10% of the vote. Norwood News asked Evers on Sunday if she had spoken with Altagracia Woolford about her decision to launch her campaign and if the former candidate had shared any advice with her. Evers said she had spoken to Altagracia Woolford but declined to share what had been discussed.

 

The assemblyman, who serves as secretary of the Bronx Democratic Party committee, is also chair of the New York State Assembly codes committee, which reviews and advances bills related to the criminal and civil justice systems, handling major issues like bail reform, gun control, criminal procedure, and consumer protection.

 

The voluntary intoxication loophole bill had been introduced by former State Senator Alessandra Biaggi (A.D. 34), who had at times knocked heads with Dinowitz in Albany over policy differences while in office but who had also partnered with him on other pieces of legislation. Biaggi later ran for Congress in Upstate New York’s congressional district NY-17, ultimately losing the Democratic primary to Sean Maloney, who, himself, later lost the general election.

 

State Sen. Nathalia Fernandez (S.D. 34), a former assemblywoman for A.D. 80, had already announced she was running for Biaggi’s senate seat when the latter announced her Congress run, and Fernandez was later duly elected as senator in S.D. 34.

 

Evers’ supporters and Dinowitz’s critics allege the assemblyman initially did not support the bill and only later championed it after Biaggi left office.

Norwood News reached out to the assemblyman for comment on this point and on Evers’ campaign. We were informed that it was “incorrect” that the assemblyman did not initially support the voluntary intoxication loophole bill and we also received the following statement.

 

“It’s a tremendous honor to serve the North Bronx in the Assembly and I am more energized than ever to continue this important work,” the statement read. “I got my start in public service organizing my neighbors for tenants’ rights, and I have continued that fight ever since—taking on the machine when I ran for the Assembly to ensure the North Bronx had an independent Democratic voice in Albany.”

 

It continued, “During my time in the Assembly, I have always put my community first – and delivered major wins. During the pandemic, my Eviction Moratorium law prevented thousands of tenants from being thrown out of their apartments. I am a proud co-sponsor of the New York Health Act and fought to eliminate non-medical exemptions for school vaccine requirements, saving many lives and combating infectious diseases.”

 

The statement continued, “I will always work to lower costs for my constituents, and I was proud to secure free tolls on the Henry Hudson Bridge. My Climate Change Superfund Law will provide $75 billion to remediate the environmental damage caused by fossil fuel companies. My office has delivered millions in capital funding for our community – including $10 million for the Amalgamated Houses and $1 million for Park Reservoir Houses. Constituent services are incredibly important to me, and we have helped thousands of constituents resolve problems big and small.”

 

It concluded, “I look forward to delivering even more wins for the North Bronx, continuing to tackle the affordability crisis, and standing up to the Trump agenda and his efforts to undermine our democracy. Our community deserves nothing but a positive, future-focused campaign that centers Bronx families and seniors, not divisive politics.” More to follow.

 

As reported, Dinowitz recently introduced other legislation, together with State Sen. Pete Harckham (S.D. 40), who represents parts of Upstate New York, which aims to protect residents from civil arrest while going to, remaining at, or returning from polling places in New York State.

 

Meanwhile, if elected, Evers would be the first disabled woman to serve in the New York state legislature. At the event, she was heard mentioning that it was dark in the underground location of the basement, and that she appeared to find it somewhat difficult to see at times. She also mentioned that her sight has deteriorated in recent years.

 

Both Dinowitz and Evers are Jewish. Norwood News put it to Evers that often races are really won or lost ahead of Election Day, as it all depends on how many people register to vote ahead of Election Day. We asked about her efforts in that regard to date given voter turn-out in local elections has traditionally been lower in the lesser affluent neighborhoods of A.D. 81.

“That’s a big part of what we’re planning,” Evers said. “We’re going to be having voter registration drives.” She spoke of being in Norwood in recent weeks (at a food giveaway in the Oval). “I think that’s a really incredible neighborhood, and we definitely want to look to meet their needs as we learn about them and meet more people there, and a lot of things that have happened at the Oval in trying to address what happened over the summer, which I don’t even want to speak about because it’s so devastating.”

 

Evers was referring to the murder of 14-year-old Ángel Miguel Mendoza Hernández on Aug. 5 in the Oval allegedly by a gang. The assemblyman, the councilman and others had held a press conference to call for more security after the incident, as reported. Evers had attended a separate vigil organized by State Sen. Gustavo Rivera (S.D. 33) and others which was attended by Ángel’s parents.

 

She continued, “You’re right. There are people who are probably registered and maybe don’t vote and then there are people who haven’t probably registered so voter registration drives are definitely going to be part of this campaign, moving forward.”

 

Evers mentioned she had been on a listening campaign around A.D. 81. We asked what voters in Bronx Community District 7 which covers the Norwood, Kingsbridge Heights and Bedford Park sections of A.D. 81, had spoken to her about in terms of their concerns. “I found there are a lot of public safety concerns in Norwood, especially with what happened in the Oval in August, and other violent attacks that have happened around there,” she said.

MORGAN EVERS, TEACHER and activist, poses for a photo with her supporters after launching her campaign for State Assembly in the northwest Bronx assembly district 81 covering some or all of Norwood, Bedford Park, Kingsbridge, Wakefield, Woodlawn, Riverdale, North Riverdale, Fieldston, Mosholu, and Spuyten Duyvil on Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025 at Connaughton’s Steakhouse in North Riverdale. Video by Síle Moloney

“They also have small business concerns,” she said. “When we were doing research for the food drive, we found that there were not a lot of supermarkets in that area so there’s food deserts. There’s concerns there. I know when I speak to people in Norwood…we had a Unity Dems event in Kingsbridge, they were like, ‘I cannot get on the Bx10 to go to Kingsbridge.'”

 

She continued, “I mean the buses are so slow, so even though they’re in a separate neighborhood, a lot of the needs kind of mesh together. We’re all kind of in need of similar things but there are specific areas that have needs that you need to meet specifically.”

 

We wrapped up by asking Evers why she thinks she will succeed where others have not in the past. “I think we’re in a moment where people are hearing bad news every day out of the federal government and they are looking for a change,” she said. “Their wages are stagnant. Prices are climbing and climbing and climbing and they don’t know where to turn, and we need to be able to trust our leaders that they are going to be able to give us some relief in this area.”