political profi les district 15
BY LATCHMI GOPAL
Why are you running?
I am a fi rst-generation Guyanese
American, born and
raised in the Bronx, and the
eldest daughter of immigrants
who taught me how to invest
in the community and fi ght for
justice. I love The Bronx and
my community that raised
me and provided a home for
my parents. I am a product of
NY public schools and have a
Political Science and Public
Health Degree. I have been a
community organizer and activist
for years on both a national
and local level, and have
advocated locally as well. I’ve
fought for transit justice with
Rider’s Alliance, advocating
for better buses, fair fares, and
transit justice.
Tell us about yourself,
i.e. what you do for a living,
your relationship to the district,
and which neighborhood
you live in
I’m a Bronx native! I grew
up in the Soundview area and
have lived in Belmont for over
fi fteen years, on Crotona Avenue.
I’m twenty-seven, and
the fi rst and only person in my
family to graduate from college.
My parents immigrated
to The Bronx in the 1980’s,
where they met and made a
life. This community, and my
family, have made my success
possible. I’ve dedicated my life
to fi ghting for our neighborhood,
and others like it, that
have been historically overlooked.
What are the biggest
challenges facing the district
and how will you solve
them?
There are many issues I
hope to focus on if elected, but
the three that I encounter most
consistently in my community
are a lack of healthcare, a lack
of affordable housing, and
food insecurity. These issues
have existed for decades in our
neighborhood, but Covid-19
has exasperated them to the
point of crisis. The City Government
BRONX TIMES REPORTER, M 24 ARCH 12-18, 2021 BTR
and our elected offi -
cials have not done the work
of creating meaningful safety
nets to protect our community,
and as a result many Bronx
residents are suffering, or are
on the brink, of terrible instability.
What will you do differently
than the incumbent
This is a special election, so
there is no incumbent. That being
said, I certainly would be a
change from previous elected
offi cials representing our district.
If elected, I will be the
fi rst woman, and fi rst woman
of color, to represent District
15 at any level. I will be committed
to The Bronx in City
Hall, and will work with community
organizations to create
a budget that is refl ective of
our priorities; not those of real
estate developers or corporate
interests. My campaign is entirely
people-powered, and we
take no money from real-estate
developers, police unions,
or fossil fuel companies.
What’s your political experience?
I have devoted my life to advocating
for economic justice,
with the hopes of uplifting
communities like my own all
across the country. I started
my professional life at DEMOS,
a national public policy think
tank, fi ghting for the $15 minimum
wage and student loan
forgiveness. I recently worked
as Director of Communications
and Strategic Partnerships
at Unemployed Workers
United, (UWU), where I advocated
for improved wages and
to build power amongst unemployed
workers. I currently
work as Distributed Organizer
and Training Lead with The
Frontline, a new campaign
from Movement for Black
Lives & the Working Families
Party.
What endorsements do
you have?
We are currently endorsed
by Shanequa Charles, ED of
Miss Abbies Community Center,
The People For Bernie,
Our Revolution (Bronx Chapter),
Da Homeless Hero (Shams
DaBaron), IAmPerspective
– Community Organization,
Alan Minsky, ED of Progressive
Democrats of America,
Marilyn Reyes, Co-Director;
Peer Network Of New York,
Yong Jung, Former Constituency
Organizing Director,
Bernie 2020, Erika Andiola;
Immigrant Rights Advocate
and Former Press Secretary
for Latino Outreach; Bernie
2016, Josh Fox; Environmental
Activist/ Former Surrogate
for Bernie’s Presidential Campaign
Latchmi Gopal
political profi les district 15
BY JOSE PADILLA
Why are you running?
I entered the race late answering
the call from both
Residents & Business Owners
from Belmont & East Tremont
who are Concerned with the
Downward Trend the Area &
District is Taking ;
Who were not impressed
with the Group of Candidates
Running , prior to my entry ,
and felt they would not be represented
, either , properly or
at all by my Opponents.
Having had Conversations
with fi ve of those Candidates
, who sought my help & Endorsement
, I , too , share the
same Concerns.
What you do for a living,
your relationship to the
district, and which neighborhood
you live in?
An Institution in the Belmont
Community I am a Licensed,
non-Practicing, Professional
with, both, prior
Law Enforcement and Investigative
Experience, protecting
the rights of others under the
aw, N.Y.S. Government, holding
Spanish peaking titles,
and prior service in New York
City Government.
Having attended public
schools in the District, I have
served as a Member of Bronx
Community Board 6, chaired
its Law Enforcement Committee,
and represented the poor
on the Area Policy Board now
known as the Neighborhood
Advisory Board .
What are the biggest
challenges facing the district
and how will you solve
them?
Stability of the district
is currently its biggest challenge
.
Poor Planning, a lack of
concern for its residents, and
no attention to the issues has
led us to a lack of parking,
overcrowded schools and the
dirtiest council district according
to the last mayoral
scorecard .
Rising rime, loss of businesses,
graffi ti and senior
safety are also challenges as
the district recovers from the
pandemic facing budget defi -
cits in both the city and state
level .
I will tackle each challenge
utilizing existing resources
available and adding programs
at the offi ce level in order
to achieve our main goal .
What will you do differently
than the incumbent?
Currently there is no incumbent.
The handling of special interests
has been a detriment
to the residents and the prosperity
of the district.
They have been allowed to
dictate the narrative without
the voice of the residents.
I will continue to expand
my current relationship with
each existing member of the
district, walking throughout,
obtaining a clear view of what
is happening .
What’s your political experience?
I have served as an elected,
not selected , Democratic male
district leader representing
the then 79th Assembly District.
Thus the title honorable.
I have served as an elected
member of the Bronx Democratic
County Committee for
Election District # 1 of the
78th Assembly District and
have previously run for public
offi ce .
I have also been involved
and active in changing policy
in some of the biggest issues
involving our communities,
like: stronger rent laws, LGBTQ
marriage equality and
police brutality cases amongst
other Issues .
What endorsement do
you have?
The only endorsement I
have sought and will continue
to seek in this special election
is the endorsement of all the
voters, regardless of political
affi liation / party, many of
whom have previously shown
their trust and confi dence in
my ability to lead, represent
them, their interests and the
District
Jose Padilla
Latchmi Gopal
Courtesy of Latchmi Gopal
Jose Padilla Courtesy of Jose Padilla
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