District 14 City Councilman and majority whip, Fernando Cabrera, secured an important endorsement in his bid to win the Bronx borough presidency, on Monday, June 7, when he was formally backed by former Commissioner of Veterans Services and former mayoral candidate, Loree Sutton. The endorsement is both timely, given Pride Month coincides with the upcoming June primaries, and noteworthy since Sutton is, according to Cabrera’s campaign, a leader in the LGBTQ+ community, a community the councilman has alienated in the past due to his stance on homosexuality.

 

As previously reported by Norwood News, Cabrera courted controversy in 2014, while serving his second term at City Council, when he praised the Ugandan government in a video posted on YouTube, after the government passed a law criminalizing homosexuality, as reported at the time by The Gothamist.

 

The councilman has since updated his position, writing in an op-ed in The Bronx Chronicle earlier this year, that “his values and beliefs were deeply rooted both in faith and love.” He wrote, as an elected leader, he has been humbled and inspired by countless lessons his fellow pastors, council members, and community members have taught him, and none was more important than the lesson to embrace change while staying true to oneself, one’s beliefs, and one’s values.

 

“I have taken these lessons to heart, especially as they relate to issues confronting my brothers and sisters in the LGBTQ community,” he said. “For years, I’ve supported this community through coalition-driven effort, legislative action, and budget allocations to pro-LGBTQ community groups around the city.”

 

Cabrera added, “While acknowledging my work and track record in the community is important, I also acknowledge that my position on gay marriage has, at times, been questioned, so I wanted to set the record straight. I resoundingly support and respect the Supreme Court’s decision on gay marriage and respect the right of any New Yorker to marry whomever they love and choose to start a partnership with.”

 

He continued, “This issue is settled law of the land – period. Looking ahead I will continue to be a tireless advocate for all residents of the Bronx in my capacity as a pastor, elected official, and community leader. With the help of our community, I hope to raise the bar even higher for what we can do as a society by staying true to our beliefs, embracing change and fighting for social justice.” The full op-ed can be read here.

 

Meanwhile, as part of her endorsement statement, Sutton said Cabrera was the real deal. “A lifelong public servant, educator, counselor, elected official, and pastor, Fernando is that rare leader who is as emotionally intelligent as he is politically savvy; unquestionably competent as he is rooted in community values; and as professionally accomplished as he is personally grounded,” she said.

 

Sutton said in working closely with Cabrera for over five years, both of them dedicated to improving the lives of NYC veterans and families, she came to know, and trust the councilman as an exemplary servant leader whose judgment, integrity, intellect and achievements set him apart from other candidates, vying for the enormous privilege of serving as the Bronx Borough President.

 

“A most principled and respectful person and professional, Fernando embraces diversity, equity, safety, and inclusion as essential to his commitment and passion for serving and supporting all Bronxites, regardless of what they look like, how they worship, where they come from, or who they love,” she said.

 

The veteran said Cabrera had the character, compassion, and competence to make this moment in history count. “That’s why he has earned my utmost confidence and heartfelt endorsement. Rank Fernando #1 — he’s the best bet for the Bronx!”

 

Other candidates in the Bronx borough presidency race include Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernández, Councilwoman Vanessa Gibson, former NYPD Detective Sammy Ravelo and State Sen. Luis Sepúlveda.

 

The New York primary elections will take place on Tuesday, June 22, and early voting will take place from June 12 to June 20.  May 28 was the last day to register to vote in the June 22 primary election. There are 22 early voting sites throughout the Bronx and finding out which one is yours is simple. Visit find my poll site to find your early voting and election day poll site, and view a sample ballot. Check the hours and location of your poll site before you participate in early voting.

 

All registered voters can request an absentee ballot be mailed to them if they wish to vote by mail. The deadline to request a mailed ballot online, by email, fax, or by mail is Tuesday, June 15, 2021. You can submit your ballot request online or mail a paper request form to the New York City Board of Elections. Note the application request must be postmarked by June 15.

 

For information about the new voting system (ranked choice voting) see here. For a full list of all candidates running in the Bronx, and in the Citywide races, see here.