
BY ALEX MITCHELL
It’s an interesting time for
the Bronx’s political landscape
as a majority of the borough’s
city council have either
termed-out or announced
they will not be seeking reelection.
Though, there is one incumbent
from the south Bronx’s
district 17 who will appear on
the ballot this upcoming June
– he is councilmember Rafael
Salamanca, Jr.
“The city and our borough
will look very different
next year with a new Mayor,
Comptroller, Borough President,
and nearly entirely new
Bronx delegation to the City
Council. I intend to use my
knowledge and experience in
delivering results for South
Bronx families to help my new
colleagues across the Bronx
unite to bring real progress
and tangible results to help
our Borough recover from the
pandemic,” he said.
Salamanca, who has served
on the council since 2016 was
born and raised in the south
Bronx, he’s previously served
as district manager for Community
Board 2, president of
the 41st Precinct Community
Council, and has sat on the
boards of both the Community
Healthcare Network and
Hunts Point Economic Development
Corporation.
He has also spent over
a dozen years working in
healthcare where he aimed
to “expand access for low-income
and working families
throughout the Bronx.”
“I am running for re-election
because I love this community,
and I believe I can
do more to ensure all of my
neighbors recover from the
COVID-19 pandemic and
thrive. The last year has been
incredibly challenging, and
as one of the hardest-hit communities
in the city, our road
to recovery is daunting, and
I know that I bring the right
leadership and experience
to deliver the resources and
support we need,” Salamanca
said.
The incumbent noted that
recovering from COVID-19 is
the largest issue his district is
facing currently.
“Recovering from the pandemic
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– physically, mentally,
emotionally, and economically
— is one of the most
pressing issues facing our
community. Throughout the
pandemic, I have worked to
demand greater support from
the city to ensure we get the
resources we deserve,” Salamanca
said.
“I will continue to work to
address the inequities that are
impacting our vaccination efforts
and support efforts to
save our small businesses
and protect jobs. Beyond that,
healthcare access, food insecurity,
affordable housing,
schools, and safety are challenges
facing our community,”
he added.
The councilman also stated
during his time in city hall he
has had a “strong record of
utilizing smart development
to build over 7,000 affordable
housing units in (Bronx) communities,
secured resources
to improve healthcare and
food access.”
Salamanca continued, citing
he helped deliver meals
to over 50,000 families during
the pandemic while also
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investing in Bronx schools,
and allocating resources in
community groups working
to prevent crime.
“It is the honor of the lifetime
to serve the community
that raised me and to fi ght for
you in the City Council. As
we confront the challenges
facing us, from our recovery
from COVID to overcoming
the economic recession to
confronting systemic inequality,
I am ready to continue delivering
for the 17th District,”
Salamanca said.
Councilman Rafael Salamanca,
Jr. is endorsed by Congressmember
Ritchie Torres,
Assemblymember Karines
Reyes, Assemblymember
Kenny Burgos, Hotel Trades
Council, 32BJ SEIU, NYC
Central Labor Council, CWA
(Communication Workers of
America) District 1, LIUNA!
NY – Laborers, Uniformed
Fire Offi cers Association,
DC37, UFT (United Federation
of Teachers), and CSA (Council
of School Supervisors and
Administrators).
Councilmember Rafael Salamanca,
Jr. looks to extend his term
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