Council Members Rafael Salamanca, Annabel Palma, and Ritchie Torres Endorse Diana Ayala
Today, Democratic council candidate Diana Ayala received endorsements from Bronx City Council Members Rafael Salamanca, Annabel Palma, and Ritchie Torres. These three represent the full Puerto Rican Council delegation from the Bronx.
“I’ve seen Diana Ayala’s commitment to the Bronx first-hand. She’s got the experience and the toughness to deliver for our borough. During my time on the Council, I’ve always stood up for working people. I need partners like Diana to continue these fights, which is why I’m enthusiastically supporting her for City Council,” said Council Member Rafael Salamanca.
“Diana is one of the most committed and involved community leaders I’ve seen in our City. She’s overcome tough odds in her life and in her career in public service to deliver for the Bronx. She’s built an outstanding participatory budgeting operation, taken on the synthetic marijuana crisis plaguing her community, and delivered much-needed resources time and again. She’s not afraid to take on difficult fights to give a voice to our borough in the Council, and that’s why I’m proud to endorse Diana Ayala for City Council,” said Council Member Ritchie Torres.
“The New York City Council has been beacon for progressive values–standing up for immigrant rights, worker rights, and social justice causes. I know what it takes for a Latina on the Council to lead these tough fights, and Diana has the skill and the dedication to be a champion for working families and seniors. I look forward to working closely with Diana in the coming years to continue this important work,” said Council Member Annabel Palma.
“Council Members Salamanca, Palma, and Torres are on the front lines of the fight for affordable housing, better public schools, and good-paying jobs for the people of the Bronx,” said Diana Ayala. “I’m thrilled to have their support, and am ready to work alongside them to deliver for working families and seniors.”
Ayala is running to become the next Council Member for the 8th District, which includes both Manhattan’s El Barrio/East Harlem and the South Bronx neighborhoods of Mott Haven and High Bridge. She has worked in the 8th Council District for nearly two decades and currently serves as Deputy Chief of Staff to Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, where she has worked on both legislation and constituent services.
Council Member Rafael Salamanca represents City Council District 17, including Concourse Village, Crotona Park East, East Tremont, Hunts Point, Longwood, Melrose, Morrisania, Port Morris, and West Farms. He was elected to City Council in a 2016 Special Election, and previously worked to expand healthcare access to low-income and working families as well as the District Manager for Bronx Community Board 2 and the President of the 41st Precinct Community Council.
Elected in 2013, Council Member Ritchie Torres represents the people of Bedford Park, Fordham, Mount Hope, Bathgate, Belmont, East Tremont, West Farms, Van Nest, Allerton, and Olinville. As Deputy Leader, he is the only Freshman Councilman to hold a leadership position. He previously served as Housing Director to Council Member Jimmy Vacca.
Council Member Annabel Palma has represented the neighborhoods of Soundview, Castle Hill, and Parkchester in City Council since 2003. Before that she was a nurses’ assistant at Vincent De Paul Senior Residence and an organizer for 1199SEIU.
The Council Members join Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., Congressmember Adriano Espaillat, City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, 32BJ SEIU, the Working Families Party, the New York City Council Progressive Caucus Alliance, and Make the Road Action Fund in endorsing Ayala’s campaign.
The Democratic primary election will be on Tuesday, September 12th.
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