EDITORS NOTE:
On December 18th Bronx Democratic County Leader Marcos Crespo announced the person that the Bronx Democratic County organization will be supporting in the non-partisan special election for the 17th City Council seat of Maria Del Carmen Arroyo. I asked Assemblyman Crespo about the selection process, and was told that he reached out to candidates that had committed to running for the seat. When I asked how a selection could be done when there is no vacancy yet, and even several people who may enter the race, Crespo said that he did not want to wait.
Below - Community Board 2 District Manager Rafael Salamanca (left next to Assemblyman Crespo) was announced as the choice by Bronx Democratic County Leader Assemblyman Marcos Crespo in the 17th City Council District Special Election (at that time still unannounced). State Senator Ruben Diaz Sr., and Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda join in the celebration after Bronx Democratic County Leader Crespo announces the Bronx Democratic County organization support of Bronx Community Board #2 District Manager Salamanca for the not yet vacant 17th City Council seat on December 18, 2015.
The Press release below was sent out today by Salamanca for city council.
Today, the Bronx County Democratic Committee, as well as State Senator Ruben Diaz, Assembly Member Luis Sepulveda and Councilwoman Annabel Palma announced their support for Democrat Rafael Salamanca for City Council, where he is running in the special election to replace former Council Member Maria Del Carmen Arroyo in the 17th District.
“Our Council Member needs to be a strong leader who can fight passionately for residents to help create more jobs, a leader who will work tirelessly to improve the quality of life for his/her neighbors, a leader with a proven record of getting things done and with a vision for moving the district forward,” said Assemblyman and Bronx County Democratic Committee Chair Marcos A. Crespo. “I have no doubt that Rafael Salamanca Jr. is that leader that we need in the 17th City Council district.”
Councilwoman Annabel Palma noted that “Rafael Salamanca has consistently demonstrated his commitment, advocacy, and leadership for the South Bronx, through his work as District Manager of Community Board 2. I am pleased to join the growing list of my colleagues in the city and state, in supporting his candidacy for Council Member of district 17.”
“I am delighted to endorse Rafael Salamanca for the City Council. Rafael has proven himself to be a courageous and effective fighter — for public safety, for enhancing the overall quality of life in our Bronx neighborhoods, and for making government more responsive to community needs. He is exceedingly bright, passionately committed to making a difference, and I know he will be a terrific champion for his constituents,” said Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda.
Senator Ruben Diaz Sr., whose district overlaps with over 80% of the 17th Council District said, “Rafael Salamanca has remained dedicated to the people who live and work on our community here in the South Bronx, and I am very proud to support his decision to step up to represent the 17th Council District.”
Salamanca stated that he was incredibly grateful to have the support of such trusted leaders of the community and the entire Bronx Democratic Committee.
“The Bronx is lucky to have such dedicated public servants working on their behalf,” said Salamanca. “I look forward to being able to work alongside all of them as a member of the City Council to improve our schools, create more affordable housing and make sure our streets are safe.”
Democrat Rafael Salamanca is running on the Community First party line for the seat vacated by Council Member Maria Del Carmen Arroyo. The non-partisan special election for the seat will be held on Tuesday, February 23rd.
