BY ELISA CRESPO
Why are you running?
I’m running for city council
to improve the quality of
life of Bronxites. I believe in
the power of public service,
and I know how it can change
peoples lives for the better.
What you do for a living,
your relationship to the district,
and which neighborhood
you live in?
I served as an Education
Liaison to the Bronx Borough
President, advocating for special
education students and
empowering parents by helping
them understand their
rights in the Individualized
Education Plan evaluation
process. I also represented the
offi ce on Community Education
Councils 10 & 11. I live in
the East Tremont section of
the district.
What are the biggest
challenges facing the district
and how will you solve
them?
The biggest issue in the district
is addressing the Great
Depression levels of unemployment
for both youth and
adults. I will fi ght to create
universal year round youth
employment programs, a public
BRONX TIMES REPORTER, M 18 ARCH 12-18, 2021 BTR
option for employment designed
for targeted vulnerable
populations that promotes
pathways into city service jobs
with a living wage and benefi
ts, increase opportunities for
vocational training programs
and funding for organizations
engaged in workforce development
in the district.
What will you do differently
than the incumbent?
I’m looking to build on the
former councilman’s work
while paying close attention to
job growth, public health and
opportunities for youth.
What’s your political experience?
I have worked for elected
offi cials on different levels of
government as both an intern
and public servant, mastering
constituent services and
gaining experience in the inner
workings of government.
I served in a borough wide capacity
at the Borough Presidents
offi ce.
What endorsement do
you have?
I have several endorsements.
Most notably, 1199 SEIU,
CWA, Make the Road Action,
Community Voices Heard, former
Council Speaker Melissa
Mark Viverito, former Congressional
Candidate Samelys
Lopez, State Senator Julia
Salazar, and Northwest Bronx
Democrats. As well as others
that will be announced soon.
Elisa Crespo
Elisa Crespo Courtesy of Elisa Crespo
BY ISCHIA J. BRAVO
Why are you running?
Today our community
is at a turning point. The
COVID-19 pandemic and
growing inequality in our
city have taken a toll on our
communities and our trust
in government. Now more
than ever, we need to make
sure that local community
voices are represented in
the New York City Council.
We need someone that understands
the obstacles of remote
learning, the fear of losing
your job, and the angst
of not knowing where your
next meal will come from.
We need an individual that
can deliver back to our communities;
a trusted neighbor,
a home-grown leader,
a mother, and a fi erce advocate.
Tell us about yourself,
i.e. what you do for a living,
your relationship to
the district, and which
neighborhood you live in.
I began my career in public
service in the Offi ce of
Congressman Serrano as a
Housing Liaison. I went on
to work with New York State
Senator Jose Serrano as District
Offi ce Director, working
on issues that ranged
from housing, education and
transit. Inspired by my experiences
assisting people
with housing issues, I continued
my career trajectory
working at two local community
based organizations
that focused on addressing
housing. These experiences
provided me with a strong
understanding of the connection
between civic engagement
and political power.
Recognizing the need to
bridge people and politics, I
became the Executive Director
for the Bronx Democratic
County Committee.
What are the biggest
challenges facing the district
and how will you
solve them?
My district is facing
crucial challenges as we
continue to weather the
pandemic, including food insecurity,
challenges with accessing
culturally competent
health care directives, housing
insecurity and overall
economic insecurity as a result
of job loss or reduction.
If I am elected the next Council
Member for the 15th district
I will focus on ensuring
my community’s immediate
needs are being fulfi lled
and that we are creating and
supporting an equitable recovery.
I will encourage and
help the community access
care and vaccines, work with
our district parents as they
navigate the situation with
schooling and child care.
What will you do differently
than the incumbent
I respect the work and
commitment the former
Council Member exhibited
for the district. If elected
my top legislative priorities
will be expanding affordable
and accessible housing,
fully funding public education:
fi xing the fair student
aid formula as well as making
the environment more
inclusive and equitable for
the most disadvantaged students,
and providing New
Yorkers with more employment
opportunities.
What’s your political
experience?
I was the Executive Director
of the Bronx Democratic
County Committee from
2008-2015 where I oversaw
the political operations for
the Bronx democratic party.
Additionally, I have worked
in public service for over 16
years, with a range of experiences
within federal, state,
city and local government.
What endorsements do
you have?
21 in 21, Senator Jessica
Ramos, Senator Alessandra
Biaggi, Assembly members:
Nathalia Fernandez
& Catalina Cruz and Council
Member Diana Ayala.
Unions: UFT, 32 BJ. DC 37,
DC 9, Central Labor Council,
New York State Nurses, NY
Pan Asians, 1199, Community
Voices Heard, Make the
Road, Laundry, Distribution
& Food Service Joint Board
and the NY Immigration Coalition.
Ischia J. Bravo
Ischia Bravo Courtesy of Ischia Bravo
political profi les district 15
political profi les district 15
BY ARIEL RIVERA-DIAZ
Why are you running?
I am running because
the Bronx has been manipulated
into thinking that only
the government and elected
officials can bring forth
change. My campaign will
put an end to this mindset
and educate people that they
can be the catalyst to the
change we want to see in the
Bronx.
Tell us about yourself,
i.e. what you do for a living,
your relationship to
the district, and which
neighborhood you live in
I previously worked as a
community health worker
for SOMOS Community Care
and Evolent Health. I currently
work at the BOE in
the Bronx. I live in the West
Farms area of the Bronx.
What are the biggest
challenges facing the district
and how will you
solve them?
The biggest challenge facing
the Bronx is the Lack of
financial knowledge. In the
Bronx, there is no information
on how someone can financially
lift themselves out
of poverty. Instead, we see
more and more public programs
offered to Bronxites
with little to no financial
growth.
What will you do differently
than the incumbent
I will definitely work
closely with the NYCHA
community to solve infrastructure
issues that are affecting
them.
What’s your political
experience?
I ran for office in 2018 for
state assembly and I used to
be the NYS Chairman of the
Republican National Hispanic
Assembly (RNHA)
What endorsements do
you have?
N/A
political profi les district 15
Ariel Rivera-Diaz
Ariel Rivera-Diaz
Courtesy of Ariel Rivera-Diaz