Councilman Ydanis Rodriguez to Announce Candidacy in 15th Congressional District

 In a press release sent out Sunday night Councilman Ydanis Rodriguez is to announce his candidacy in the 15th Congressional race Monday Afternoon.

Councilman Rodriguez said that he received the majority of the vote in the 15th Congressional District in the February Special Election for Public Advocate. Of the candidates currently in the 15th Congressional race. Assemblyman Blake and former City Council Speaker Mark-Viverito also ran in the special election. 

As was the case in the special election where Rodriguez ran under the Unite Immigrants name, he says that he is the candidate of immigrants who will stand up to President Trump's anti immigration policies.

The 15th Congressional District is 66 percent Hispanic, 28 percent Black, 3 percent White, and 3 percent others.

Other candidates include Councilman Ruben Diaz Sr., Councilman Ritchie Torres, Assemblyman Michael Blake, former City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, BOEDC President Marlene Cintron, Johnathan Ortiz, Thomas Ramos, Chinvona Newsome, and the probability of more candidates such as Samelys Lopez and Julio Pabon who have mentioned a possible candidacy.

State Senator Gustavo Rivera dropped out shortly after announcing, deciding to stay in the State Senate. Former Assemblyman Eric Stevenson also dropped out at the end of  August telling us that he was going to run for his old assembly seat.

COUNCIL MEMBER RODRIGUEZ NAMED CHAIR OF COUNCIL'S COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

   Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez was announced the newest chair of the City Council Committee on Transportation. This important committee is vital to oversight over the MTA, DOT, NYCTA & TLC and is set to be a major forum in discussing Mayor deBlasio's VisionZero initiative. Transportation is something that affects the lives of almost every New Yorker, as well as the many millions more who travel here from out of state and country. The focus of this committee will be to ensure efficiency, affordability and equality for all major forms of transportation.

Over the past four years, Council Member Rodriguez has been a fierce advocate for street safety in his community and across the city. An active member of the Transportation Committee prior to this appointment, he will continue to advocate for safe and efficient public transportation, while looking to expand service to under-severed communities. Upon his appointment, Council Member Rodriguez had this to say:

"I am grateful to our Speaker, Melissa Mark-Viverito, for this great opportunity to make our city's expansive transportation system more efficient, affordable and equitable for all New Yorkers. We will seek to focus this committee on accomplishing Mayor deBlasio's Vision Zero initiative, placing a premium on pedestrian safety to avoid any further avoidable loss of life. Additionally, we will look for ways to expand our great public transportation system with the help of the MTA and transportation advocates; we will seek to cut travel times for New Yorkers to increase the efficiency of our city as a whole; and strike a suitable balance between the thousands of bicyclists and motorists who use our streets."

  The previous chair of the City Council Transportation Committee was Bronx Councilman Jimmy Vacca. 

Councilman Ydanis Rodriguez Swearing in With Future Speaker in Attendance

  Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez was officially sworn into office for his second term as the New York City Council Member for Council District 10 (Washington Heights, Inwood and Marble Hill). Council Member Rodriguez was joined by expected City Council Speaker, Melissa Mark-Viverito, State Senator Adriano Espaillat, Assembly Member Gabriela Rosa, as well as community leaders in the area. City Clerk Michael McSweeny administered the oath of office and Councilman Rodriguez paid the $9.00 Fee for the swearing in. 

  

  I asked Councilwoman Mark-Viverito about her future plans since she will only have one term of four years left, while the Mayor, City Comptroller, and Public Advocate will be incumbents running for their second terms when she is term limited out of office. Future Speaker Mark-Vivirito said "That not why I am in this game". We also spoke about the Bronx Democratic County Leader Assemblyman Carl Heastie supporting her opponent Councilman Dan Garodnick. The answer to that was Councilman Ritchie Torres is her favorite Bronx Council Delegation member, and Councilwoman Mark-Viverito just smiled when I repeated the Bronx Democratic County Leaders name.

Left - Council members Rodriguez and Mark-Viverito go over a few things before Councilman Rodriguez is sworn in for a second term. 

Right - Councilman Rodriguez has only high praise for his choice to be the next Speaker of the City Council Councilwoman Melissa Mark-Viverito.

 

Left- State Senator Adriano Espaillat gets to say a few words before the swearing in.

Right - Councilman Rodriguez is being sworn in to his second term in office.

 

Left - City Clerk Michael McSweeny signs that he has administered the oath of office to Councilman Ydinas Rodriguez.

Right - Councilman Rodriguez also signs as the city clerk counts the $9.00 fee paid.

 

Left - Future Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito tells the crowd that she is proud to have Councilman Rodriguez on her side.

Right - Councilwoman Mark-Viverito and the city clerk go over their schedules to see what day both have open so he can swear her in.