Irene Estrada-Rukaj, an ordained minister and community activist, is challenging incumbent Naomi Rivera to represent the 80th Assembly District in Albany. Estrada-Rukaj is one of four candidates whose names are appearing on the ballot on Primary Day, Sept. 13.

Originally from Midland, Texas, Estrada-Rukaj came to the Bronx as a 20-year-old with her two young daughters in 1982 to get involved with ministry work. Since then, the Mexican-American has become a New York State chaplain and is heavily involved in community work.

“This is my district,” Estrada-Rukaj said. “I’ve been living here for 30 years and have been very active for the last 30 years.”

Now 52 years old and a grandmother of two, she lives alone on Wallace Avenue (she separated from her husband in 2003) and currently serves as the parent coordinator at Aspire Preparatory Middle School and is a member of Community Board 11. She has responded to 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina. According to Estrada-Rukaj, her specialties are education, housing and emergency services.

Estrada-Rukaj lacks the strong financial standing that Assemblywoman Rivera and fellow challenger Mark Gjonaj have, but remains hopeful.

“The 80th district is not for sale,” said Estrada-Rukaj. “Not to a landlord, not to a politician whose family is being investigated.”

Estrada-Rukaj also pointed fingers at the press for making the primary look like a two-way race.

“That’s not equal representation on their behalf,” she said.

She also is confident her connections with the clergy, community board and children’s organizations will make a difference in the polls.

“We’re working hard getting the job done,” said Estrada-Rukaj. “People are excited, people who have never voted before, because they know I’ve been working and running for so long.”

The community activist also believes her experiences speak for themselves.

“I’m more concerned about the conditions of the community,” said Estrada-Rukaj. “I don’t believe in disparity.”

She says many of the issues that apply to residents of the district also apply to her life, mentioning that she is in court with her landlord over the high rent.

“I’m a tenant, not a landlord,” Estrada-Rukaj said, another dig at realtor Gjonaj.

Estrada-Rukaj also has a long political history with Rivera – Estrada-Rukaj has been removed from the ballot twice before, including in 2004, when Rivera would go on to be elected to the Assembly. She, however, continues to pursue her political aspirations.

“We’re taking the district back,” said Estrada-Rukaj. “It would be a privilege to be in the Assembly.”

[Editor’s note: A version of this story appears in the Sept. 6-19 print edition of the Norwood News.]