Bronx Political Buzz — Another Albany Lawmaker Gets Bronx Dems Nod

Assembly Member Rodriguez, NYC Council Speaker Melissa Mark Viverito, and NYS Senator Jose Serrano. (NYS Assembly)

Assemblyman Robert Rodriguez Wins Bronx Dems Nod

Bronx County Dems led by Assemblyman Marcos Crespo, have given their nod to another Albany lawmaker seeking a vacant Bronx City Council vacancy. East Harlem Assemblyman Robert Rodriguez is looking to replace Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito in her East Harlem/Bronx district, CD8. In recent weeks, the Bronx Democratic County Committee has endorsed Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj and state Senator Ruben Diaz for council seats in district 13 and 18, respectively.

Assemblyman Robert J. Rodriguez (NYS Assembly)

Bronx BP Ruben Diaz, Jr. backs Mark-Viverito’s self-anointed deputy chief of staff, Diane Ayala as her successor. In addition to Ayala, the other Council wannabes include Edward Gibbs, Tamika Mapp, Edward Santos, and retired firefighter John Ruiz. Assemblyman Rodriguez is the only candidate not registered with the NYC Campaign Finance Board (which runs the matching funds program).

Council district 8 is one of three districts (8, 13, 18) that are open due to the city’s term-limits law barring the incumbents from seeking re-election.

‘From 911 to City Hall’ — Ex-Firefighter John Ruiz Seeks El Barrio/Mott Haven Seat 

Democratic District Leader John Ruiz.(medianoche.us)

El Barrio Democratic district leader and ex-firefighter, John Ruiz (aka “The Rappin’ Fireman”) says he wants to be the first ex-firefighter to be elected to the City Council. On Monday, Ruiz announced his candidacy for the 8^th District in the South Bronx and East Harlem. Ruiz also serves as co-District Leader with Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, who backs Diana Ayala as her replacement.

In a break from his co-leader, Ruiz recently slammed Mark-Viverito and Ayala for supporting the Puerto Rican Day Parade committee’s decision to honor convicted terrorist, Oscar Lopez Rivera.

“I am a proud New Yorker and proud Puerto Rican and I call on them to denounce this disgusting terrorist who has never renounced violence or shown remorse for his attacks on NYC,” Ruiz told the NY Post.

Ruiz recently sought the Democratic county committee designation for state senate in the 30th Senate District. Brian Benjamin received the vote of the county committee and recently won the May 23rd special election to replace Bill Perkins, who resigned in February to serve in the City Council.

Elected Officials Share Memorial Day Messages

Where in the World is Assemblyman Michael Blake

Recently, Assemblyman Blake was at Yankee Stadium with Geovanni Rivera, a 6th grader at Bronx Latin school, courtesy of Most Valuable Kids. The pair saw the Yankees win, 3-2 last Thursday.

Geovanni Rivera is a 6th grader at Bronx Latin school who saw the @Yankees win. He sent a Thank u e-mail to @MVKidsNyc #BuildingABetterBronx

Best in Bronx Political Tweets

UPDATED: The correct name of John Ruiz’s campaign organization is ‘From 911 to City Hall.’ We regret the error.