THE NEW POLITICAL COALITION OF MINISTERS AND TAXI DRIVERS OF THE BRONX WAS EFFECTIVE WITH YDANIS RODRIGUEZ
You should know, that in the nonpartisan special election for Public Advocate, Councilman Ydanis Rodriguez defeated Melissa Mark-Viverito in Bronx County and stepped on the heels of Assemblyman Michael Blake.
It is very important that you know, both Michael Blake and Melissa Mark-Viverito were counted as possible winners.
Melissa Mark Viverito had the reputation of being the former Speaker of the New York City Council, she had a lot of money, she had the support of the “Latino Victory Fund, NY” which made an independent expenditure of $50,000 in support of her at the last minute, she had the endorsements of high elected officials like Congressman Adriano Espaillat and was thought to be a possible winner. In Bronx County, Ydanis Rodriguez received 8,068 votes, while Melissa Mark-Viverito only received 7,204 votes.
Assemblyman Michael Blake, Vice-President of the Democratic Party at the national level, had more money than all other candidates. Blake had the backing of the Bronx political machine, the endorsement of elected officials such as Gustavo Rivera, Luis Sepulveda, Marcos Crespo, Rafael Salamanca, Victor Pichardo, Karines Reyes and many others.
Michael Blake, although he won in Bronx county, the final results showed some drastic results for him. Councilman Ydanis Rodriguez defeated him in some assembly districts and went toe to toe in others. In the Bronx, Michael Blake tallied 10,467 votes, Ydanis Rodriguez 8,068 and Melissa Mark-Viverito 7,204.
It is important that you know this because many so-called “experts” predicted that my support for Ydanis would do him a lot of damage and some demanded that Ydanis reject my endorsement.
“Surprise, surprise” the results show my support for Ydanis was very effective and that the community showed tremendous support for me since Councilman Ydanis Rodriguez not only toppled Melissa Mark-Viverito in the Bronx but he also won in Upper Manhattan. In Upper Manhattan, Ydanis Rodriguez received 5,856 votes and Melissa Mark-Viverito tallied 3,250 and Michael Blake 1,131.
I believe the “New Political Coalition of Ministers and Taxi Drivers of the Bronx,” which we created during this campaign for Ydanis, should continue the fight, preparing candidates for future elections and bringing them to victory in Bronx county.
I am Councilman Rev. Rubén Díaz, and this is what you should know.
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