political profi les district 14
BY HAILE RIVERA
Why are you running?
I am running because as
a proud father of three young
children – two who were born
right here and are attending
public schools here as well –
I am deeply concerned for the
future of our district. Wit the
recent wave of crimes, from
robberies, to assaults to vandalism,
our quality of life
must improve. I would like to
continue raising my children
here but we must change how
the community is becoming.
Now more than ever, given
the challenging times due
to the pandemic, our people
need real help. We do not need
another elected offi cial who
wants to be in offi ce because
he or she is being urged for
the political convenience for
himself or herself or a certain
group.
Tell us about yourself,
what you do for a living, your
relationship to the district,
and which neighborhood you
live in.
I have nearly 20 years of experience
working for community
organizations that help
our youth and vulnerable families
such as the Food Bank for
NYC, East Side House Settlement,
CUNY Prep, Faith in
NY and most recently HELP
USA, helping struggling families
with their rent arrears.
I have also worked as the Executive
Director of the prestigious
National Supermarket
Association (NSA), which has
over 400 independently-owned
supermarkets. My experience
working for these organizations
have prepared me to take
on the problems affecting our
district, such as housing, jobs
and education. I have lived in
the University Heights & Mt.
Hope sections of the Bronx
since 2003.
What are the biggest challenges
facing the district and
how will you solve them?
One of the biggest challenges
is recovering from
the pandemic. Thousands of
our neighbors have lost their
jobs and have fallen behind
on their rent. We need to help
them get back on their feet.
Another major concern is
the quality of life and rise of
crime in our streets. We must
also help our struggling small
businesses, many who were
forced to closed permanently
and others who managed
Haile Rivera
barely survive on high-interest
loans. They need urgent
help as well because they
are the backbone of our local
economy.
What will you do differently
than the incumbent?
I believe that Councilman
Fernando Cabrera has done
a great job (hence why I also
support him for Bronx Borough
President). We need to
continue the work he and his
staff have been doing while
also making sure we expand
community outreach efforts,
including having evening
and weekend hours for our
residents. I would also reach
out to our younger voters and
get them engage in the local
political process.
BRONX TIMES REPORTER, M 66 ARCH 26-APR. 1, 2021 BTR
What’s your political experience?
I have been involved with
many campaigns, including
that of Fernando Ferrer for
Mayor (2001), Carl McCall for
Governor (2002), Norman Siegel
for Public Advocate (2005)
and Eric Gioia for Public Advocate
(2009). In the summer
of 2007, after being selected
as one of Barack Obama’s
dinner guest, I joined the
Obama campaign as a Field
Organizer, working in various
states with high numbers
of Latinos (Pennsylvania,
North Carolina, Puerto Rico
and Florida). In 2013, I ran for
State Assembly in the 86th
Assembly District, where ultimately
we came up short
by a mere 540 votes in a race
with highly contested and
questionable results. In 2014,
I served as the Bronx Coordinator
for Adriano Espaillat’s
second unsuccessful run for
Congress in the 13th District,
helping Espaillat secure 51%
of the votes in the Bronx.
What endorsements do you
have?
While we are waiting for
some responses from some
groups, we have always believed
that the most important
endorsement any candidate
must have is that of the
people who live in the district.
This is why we have focused
our efforts in speaking
directly with and to the
voters. However we do have
endorsements of key community
and religious leaders
such as Pastor Bolivar Flores,
Pastor Colin Dunckley, Maria
Rosado, Mateo Canela, Melissa
Rosado, Katherine Alvarez
Caba, Charles Taveras,
Pastora Aybar, Glenny Javier,
Flor Leerdam, Sammy and
Fanny Garcia, Janet Pujols,
Marcelino Victoriano, Mercedes
Quinones and many
more people who are activists
and live in the district.
Courtesy of Haile Rivera