Abigail Martin and Marcos Sierra, both candidates in the 11th City Council race, announced on Tuesday, Jan. 5, that they would not be placing their names on the ballot in the upcoming March 23 special election, announced by Mayor de Blasio on Monday, Jan. 4, as reported by Norwood News. Both were and still are aiming to replace former City Councilman Andrew Cohen, who stepped down from the role on Dec. 31, to take up a judgeship on the Supreme Court based in the Bronx.

Martin and Sierra were two of a number of candidates who recently called for the 450-minimum signature requirement to be waived by the mayor in order to get on the ballot for that special election, citing the health risks associated with COVID-19 for candidates, staff and voters through mass person-to-person contact.

 

During a press conference on Monday, the mayor did not address the calls directly and instead, encouraged “folks out there in those two districts who want to serve your communities, [to] get out there and get petitioning because we have special elections called for March 23rd.”

 

Repeated requests placed with the mayor’s office by email and phone by Norwood News for a comment on the matter have gone unanswered. We also asked for a further comment in light of the recent announcements by both Martin and Sierra that they would not be running in the special election. Again, we did not receive an immediate response from the mayor’s office.

 

In a press release announcing her decision, Martin wrote, “Since entering this race, my focus has been winning the June 2021 Democratic Party primary, and serving a full term as the Northwest Bronx’s City Council member. That is still my focus,” However, Martin added, “I will not be running in a March special election.”

In response to a request by Norwood News as to her precise reason for not participating in the special election, Martin said, “With the pandemic raging, and with the prospect of putting my volunteers and our community members at additional risk at this time, I know that this is the right decision. Democrats in the Northwest Bronx will have a real choice when they go to the polls in June.”

For his part, in his video announcement, posted on his campaign Facebook page on Jan. 5, Sierra also cited health and safety risks associated with campaigning as his main reason for withdrawing from the special election.

 

“After a serious discussion with my family, for their safety, for the safety of my team, my safety, and more importantly, the safety of the residents in our district, I have decided to not participate in March’s Special Election for Council District 11, and will focus efforts on the June Primary Election,” he said. “This time will allow for better preparation to safely campaign given the new level of infection that’s hitting our community.
#ForOurDistrict #SafetyFirst #SeeYouInJune”

 

In announcing the special election on Monday, Jan. 4, the mayor said, “I am declaring Tuesday, March 23, 2021, as the date for the 15th and 11th City Council Districts special elections to elect a Council Member to serve until December 31, 2021.” Norwood News also asked the mayor’s office if this meant that no primary would be held in June in the 11th or 15th City Council Districts. Again, we did not receive an immediate response.

For now, both candidates are focusing their efforts on an expected June primary. Martin said, “Over these past several months, I have traveled every corner of our district, listening to voters and hearing their concerns for the future of our community. I will continue to do so until I reach every Democratic voter before primary day. As Council Member, I will continue this effort, listening to each member of our community and seeking their input as we move our City forward.”

 

She added that thanks to the work of her campaign staff, her volunteers and the 400 people who have donated to her campaign, she has the resources and the organization to give Democrats in the district a real choice when they head to the polls in June. “Our community deserves new leadership and we need someone in City Hall who will fight for each person in the northwest Bronx,” she said.