It was an unusually warm night in February for Thursday's County Committee call to find Democratic candidates to run in the upcoming special elections to be held on April 24th.
First up was to find a Democratic candidate to run for the 80th Assembly District vacancy created when former Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj was elected to the City Council. Bronx Democratic County Committee Chair Assemblywoman Latoya Joiner called the meeting to order, and it was said that a quorum of County Committee members from the 80th A.D. were present. Nominations were then opened up with Ms. Jean Hill nominating Nathalia Fernandez. Ms. Fernandez as then seconded by Mr. Joe McManus, and a third person. The question of any more nominations was asked, and nominations were then closed when there was no other. A unanimous vote then was taken making Ms. Nathalia Fernandez the candidate of the Democratic Party in the special election for the 80th A.D.
Above - Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, Assemblywoman Latoya Joiner, Counsel Stanley Schlein, and Maricela Salazar presided over the meeting.
Below - A very joyous Nathalia Fernandez is congratulated by Bronx Democratic County Leader Assemblyman Marcos Crespo and Councilman Mark Gonaj the former assemblyman from the 80th A.D.
Things didn't go so smooth when it came to fielding a candidate for the vacant 32nd State Senate district however. The process began late as it was announced that a quorum was present, since the 32nd Senate District covers parts of the 79th, 80th, 82nd, 84th, 85th, ad 87th Assembly Districts. The meeting was called to order, and the process of selecting the Democratic candidate for the 32nd State Senate district began.
Ms Julia Rodriguez nominated Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda, This was seconded by Mohammed Mujumder, and Cynthia Cox. When the question of any more nominations Ms. Phillissia Amat rose to nominate Mr.Michael Beltzer. This was seconded by Ms. Alace Trane. There were no other nominations and the voting began. Chair Joyner called for those wishing to have Assemblyman Sepulveda as the Democratic candidate stand up. All but six county committee members stood up. Upon calling for those who wanted Mr. Beltzer as the candidate those six people stood up. It was then declared that by an overwhelmingly majority that Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda would be the Democratic candidate for the 32nd State Senate in the April Special election.
Above - NY State Senate Democratic Conference Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and State Senator Michael Gianaris await the choice of Assemblyman Sepulveda as the Democratic candidate for the 32nd State Senate seat in the April spacial election.
Below - After being selected the Democratic candidate for the 32nd S.D. a beaming Luis Sepulveda thanks those who helped him become the Democratic candidate for his mentor now Councilman Ruben Diaz Sr.'s vacant state senate seat.
Democratic candidate for the 32nd S.D. is congratulated by Senators Stewart-Cousins and Gianaris, Bronx Democratic County Leader Marcos Crespo, BDCC Vice-Chair Linda Kemp, and Councilwoman Vanessa Gibson.
After the meeting Mr. Beltzer claimed that there was not a quorum to which the Reform Party candidate for the 32nd S.D. Ms. Pamela Stewart-Martinez who was in attendance also said. While in the Bronx it is a forgone conclusion that the Democratic candidate wins every election, 'One never knows what may happen next in politics'. There is always a first time for everything Ms. Stewart-Martinez also said.
This posting has been updated to reflect the correct date of the special elections Tuesday April 24th.
A thank you goes to Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz for pointing out the error.
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