Bailey sworn in as BX County Chair
Senator replaces Assemblyman Marcos Crespo who resigned back in June
BY JASON COHEN
While one of the most important
presidential elections
in national history looms
closer, local Bronx politics
also saw a big recent development,
as the borough saw
a new name rise to the top of
the ranks.
On Sept. 30, Senator Jamaal
Bailey was approved as new
Bronx County Chair. The seat
was vacated when Assemblyman
Marcos Crespo resigned
in June.
“I’m honored to be the chair
of the county that has given
me so much,” Bailey told the
Bronx Times.
Bailey, 38, the chairman
of the Codes Committee, was
elected to the Senate in 2016.
According to the senator,
his fi rst order of business is to
remind people that in 33 days,
they must get to the polls.
Whether it’s voting early or in
person he emphasized the fact
that their voice matters.
He had heard reports in
the past that the Bronx was
a “boys’ club,” but his goal
is to have the most qualifi ed
people run the borough and
be inclusive.
Bailey, a diehard basketball
and Knicks fan, compared
politics to a game of hoops.
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BRONX TIMES REPORTER,18 OCTOBER 9-15, 2020 BTR
“One-on-one basketball
will only get you so far,” he explained.
“People in the Bronx
need to work as a team. We
have a very deep bench here.
I want to establish a culture
here in the Bronx.”
The senator, who was
the driving force behind
the repealing of 50-
a, stressed change will not
happen overnight.
Bailey noted that he and his
colleagues are elected by the
people and anyone who is not
there to work for their constituents
does not belong in offi ce.
The Baychester resident
was raised on Paulding Avenue
in Wakefi eld and it means
so much to him to be in the position
he is in today.
“I remember my neighborhood.
I remember the culture,”
he said.
He began his career working
for Speaker Carl Heastie
and eventually went to CUNY
Law School. When he isn’t
trying to bring change to the
Bronx, Bailey is home with his
wife Giamara and two daughters
and also watching and
playing basketball.
“My wife and daughters are
the inspiration I have every
single day,” he said. “I love my
job. It’s special when you can
see change in your borough.
I’m looking forward to another
renaissance in the borough.”
Jamaal Bailey sworn in as the new Bronx County Chair. Courtesy of the Offi ce of Senator Bailey
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