City Councilwoman for District 16 and candidate for Bronx borough president, Vanessa Gibson was endorsed by a number of faith leaders during a press conference on Wednesday, April 28, at Bronx Borough Hall.

 

The group included Rev. Torrence Robinson of Gethsemane Missionary Baptist Church, Rev. Zoleka Adams, Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, Elder Shelia Moses, Cathedral United Baptist Church, Rev. Edwrin Sutton, Caldwell AME Zion Church, Rev. Frederick Crawford, Union Grove Baptist Church, Rev. Jay Gooding, Miracle Revival Temple, Fellowship Tabernacle & president of the 49th Precinct Council, Min. Larae Shabaka, Bethesda Baptist Church, Rev. Torrence Robinson, Gethsemane Baptist, Bishop Shelvis Green, Greater Holy Tabernacle, Rev. James Duckett, Fort Mott Baptist Church, Rev. Lerone Crawford, Day Spring Baptist Church and Rev. Helen Wingate, Greater Faith Baptist Church. 

 

Reacting to the endorsement, Gibson said, “I am honored to have the support of this amazing group of clergy leaders in my campaign for Bronx borough president. For so many of us, faith is an important part of our lives, and in the Bronx our pastors often do so much more than Sunday service.”

 

She continued, “Our churches are pillars of our communities, serving as community centers, providing education for our young people, and being a source of hope for those in need. Over the last few months, our faith leaders and their churches have helped tens of thousands of families secure food and other resources to make it through this difficult time.”

 

She added, “Don’t know how you are doing it all.  At some point, I hope you get a vacation!”

 

On Friday, April 30, the councilwoman announced she had also received the backing of the Stonewall Democratic Club of NYC, the first LGBT Democratic organization in New York City.

Rose Christ, president of the Stonewall Democratic Club of NYC, said Gibson had a record of results for underserved people in her district and across the City. “Throughout her time in the Council, she has demonstrated her commitment to serving the LGBTQ+ community,” she said. “We know she will be a champion of LGBTQ+ Bronxites as Borough President and that she is the right person to lead the way to a healthier, safer, more inclusive Bronx.”

 

Gibson kicked off her campaign last December and since then, has picked up the endorsements of Congressman Ritchie J. Torres, Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, City Council Speaker Corey Johnson, State Sen. José M.Serrano, Assembly Member Latoya Joyner, Council Members Diana Ayala, Laurie Cumbo, Mark Treyger, Adrienne Adams, Carlina Rivera, Daniel Dromm, Farah Louis, and Karen Koslowitz, former Council Member James Vacca, former Deputy Bronx Borough President Aurelia Greene, and former Manhattan Borough President, C. Virginia Fields, District Leaders Lanita Jones, Gene Edwards, Norma Saunders and Shirley Saunders.

 

The councilwoman has also been endorsed by the Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club, NYC Pride and Power, 1199 SEIU, DC37, 32BJ, UFT, CSA, Local 372, Local 371, and the 504 Democratic Club.

 

Attached below is the latest available campaign finance summary for candidates running in the Bronx borough presidency June 22 primary election, as per the CFB. As reported previously by Norwood News, not all candidates listed made the final ballot, following the Board of Elections official confirmation posted Thursday, April 29.

Latest Campaign Finance Summary for the June 22, 2021 Bronx Borough President primary election.
Image courtesy of New York City Campaign Finance Board.

Those who did include Councilman for City Council District 14, Fernando Cabrera, Assemblywoman for Assembly District 80, Nathalia Fernández, Gibson, retired NYPD detective, Samuel Ravelo, and State Sen. Luis Sepúlveda.

 

Gibson trails Cabrera in terms of contributions with $142,820. Meanwhile, the councilman is slowly approaching a quarter of a million dollars, with Fernández currently in third place with $75,446.

 

For a full list of the candidates in each of the Bronx June primary election races, as well as those running in the primary races for mayor, public advocate and city comptroller, check out our story here.