100 PERCENT
By Robert Press
New York Counts This Year
Tuesday April 19th is the presidential primary date for New York, and this is a year where both the Democratic and Republican races in New York could impact on just who gets nominated. That is why all of the candidates in both parties are criss-crossing New York State looking for votes. On the Republican side it seems as though all congressional districts matter since a candidate can pick up New York delegates even in a almost Republican free district such as is the case here in the Bronx. That could be the reason that Republican Presidential candidate Ted Cruz came to the South Bronx to meet with State Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. who claims to be a Conservative like Cruz. The only problem candidate Cruz is that State Senator Diaz Sr. (at last look) is a Democrat, and as for being a Conservative I checked with the Chair of the Bronx Conservative Party Bill Newmark on that. Mr. Newmark wanted to know why Senator Diaz has not come to the Bronx Conservative Party for an endorsement so far this year, and Mr. Newmark also wanted to know why Senator Diaz did not ask for the Bronx Conservative Party endorsement in the last election in 2014.
Speaking of the Bronx, it seems that the Bronx Democratic County organization seems to be pulled in different directions also. State Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. who is no stranger to the Republican Party, entertained Republican Presidential candidate Ted Cruz this past week. The next day his son Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. had a visit from Democratic Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton in front of Yankee Stadium. The two then hopped on the subway after Clinton had a little trouble getting through the turnstile. It took her five swipes of the Metro Card she had to get a good swipe which let her on to the platform. Unlike Democratic Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders who grew up in Brooklyn and thought tokens were still in use on the NYC subway system Clinton at least was told that tokens were no longer in use. However when Sanders came to the South Bronx over 18,000 people came to see him, and Bronx Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda who has been called a twin to Bronx Democratic County Leader Marcos Crespo is supporting Sanders.
Back on the Republican side John Kasich did his best impression of Bill de Blasio when eating pizza in New York, using a fork to eat the pizza. My predictions on the presidential race will appear in Wednesday's 100 PERCENT column in the new Bronx newspaper that will premier on Wednesday April 13th.
As for the race to replace Charlie Rangel in congress petitioning ended today. Since the primary election for congress is on June 28th there is time to see just how many of the seven candidates make it on to the ballot. Sometime in late June I will put out my prediction, but it now appears to be a two person race between Manhattan Democratic County Leader Assemblyman Keith Weight and State Senator Adriano Espaillat who is running for the third time, but first time for an open congressional seat.
Don't forget that on Wednesday April 13th you will find this column in a new Bronxwide newspaper. You can also continue to check this blog for updates, and the listing of events and reports of them.
If you have any comments about this column or would like to have an event listed in this column or on my blog you can e-mail us at 100percentbronxnews@gmail.com or call 718-644-4199 Mr. Robert Press.
