The Bronx’s most heated and contentious political race is being fought on multiple fronts — in the blogosphere, across two counties, at local meetings, in various court rooms and on YouTube. Welcome to the bizarre world of the 33rd District Senate race.

For 19 years, incumbent State Senator Efrain Gonzalez held this seat, which stretches from the Cross Bronx Expressway to Riverdale, without fear of competition. But federal prosecutors indicted Gonzalez on fraud and corruption charges during the last election cycle two years ago, opening the door to competition from a well-known and well-funded opponent — Pedro Espada, Jr.

(Though he’s registered and fund-raising for the 33rd District senate race, Richard Soto, who operates a Bronx real estate company, has largely been an absentee candidate and could be not reached for comment.)

Espada, Jr., a longtime Bronx political figure who runs a group of health centers in the borough, has been quite visible and highly critical of Gonzalez at local meetings, hearings, and town halls, pointing out Gonzalez’s upcoming trial at every opportunity and saying the incumbent isn’t doing enough to represent his constituents.

“People have simply not heard from the incumbent,” Espada told the New York Times. “And that’s not just in the last two years, but in the last 20 years.”

Meanwhile, Gonzalez’s campaign team is quick to remind people that Espada, a former state senator and council member, only recently purchased a co-op in Bedford Park and is more of a political mercenary than a legitimate representative of the area.

Gonzalez’s lawyers vigorously challenged Espada’s claim of residency in front of the Bronx Board of Elections, arguing that he also owns a home in Westchester, has a tiny energy bill at the condo and is rarely seen there by residents. Espada admitted he owns the Westchester house, but said he and his wife often spend time with their grandchildren in the Bedford Park co-op. The election board upheld his residency and Espada’s campaign continues. He says he spent $5,000 on lawyers to defend against the challenge.

During a fund-raiser at Espada’s co-op, two weeks before the Board of Elections showdown, Rafael Martinez-Alequinn, an operative and part-time journalist paid by Gonzalez, showed up with a video camera and a couple of angry shareholders. On the subsequent video, which showed up on YouTube, Espada is seen sniping at a shareholder who admonishes the candidate for using the residential building to further his political agenda.

Espada wouldn’t comment on that night specifically or how much time he spends at each residence in general.

“Residency is a non-issue,” Espada said. “It’s another desperate attempt to keep me out of the race.”

Martinez-Alequinn, who also writes a blog that is highly critical of Espada, has posted a handful of other YouTube videos, which he claims are evidence that Espada has used his health center resources to collect signatures for his ballot petition. (In 2001, three of Espada’s health center employees were convicted for illegally using Medicare funds to aid his campaign for borough president, which he lost. Espada himself was not charged in the case.) The petition signatures held up to scrutiny in front of the election board.

Not to be outdone, Espada has posted a sharply produced five-part series on YouTube chronicling his efforts to help the people of the Bronx, including the creation of two new health care centers.

Speaking about the ongoing battle, Espada said recently, “If you’re going to contrast his crimes against mine, go ahead.”