Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. announced his endorsement of City Council Speaker, Corey Johnson, as the City’s next comptroller on Monday, March 29, during a campaign stop on Arthur Avenue in the Little Italy section of the Bronx. The announcement marked the first by the borough president in a competitive 2021 citywide race. After the formalities, Johnson and Diaz Jr. spent time along The Bronx’s iconic Arthur Avenue hub, greeting voters and speaking to local business owners.

Diaz Jr. said the COVID-19 pandemic has decimated the residents of The Bronx, and that the people are going to need experienced leaders in city government who will stand up for the borough. “That’s why I’m proud to endorse Corey Johnson for New York City Comptroller,” he said. “To rebuild and recover, our borough needs a fierce advocate for the communities who have been hardest hit by this crisis, and that’s what we’ll get from Corey Johnson.”

 

The borough president went on to say that Johnson, who represents Manhattan’s District 3, which covers Chelsea, Hell’s Kitchen, Greenwich Village, West SoHo, Hudson Square, Times Square, Garment District, Flatiron, and the Upper West Side, understands the city’s finances better than anyone. “He’ll fight for all New Yorkers, and will make sure The Bronx gets our fair share of COVID-19 relief funding. I know for certain that Corey is the best choice for The Bronx,” he added.

 

Reacting to the endorsement, Johnson said, “It’s an incredible honor to have the endorsement of Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., who has spent his career fighting for the Bronx. I’m running for comptroller with one mission: to better the lives of New Yorkers in all five boroughs.” He added, “We know this pandemic has disproportionately impacted communities of color and low-income families in the Bronx. That’s why as comptroller, I’ll make sure every dollar of COVID aid gets to the communities that have been hardest hit. Working together, we can kick-start our city’s recovery and rebuild the Bronx better than before.”

The borough president, who will be stepping down at the end of his current term, is the latest high-profile Bronx leader to endorse Johnson’s campaign for city comptroller. Previously, the New York City Council speaker received the endorsements of Congressman Ritchie Torres, who represents the 15th congressional district in the Bronx, recently elected Bronx City Councilman Kevin Riley, who represents the 12th City Council district in the borough, and as reported recently by Norwood News, Council Member Vanessa Gibson who represents the 16th City Council district in the Bronx, and who is, herself, running for the seat of Bronx borough president.

 

Torres said that to recover from the pandemic, The Bronx needs Johnson in the comptroller’s office. “Our borough has been hit hard by this pandemic — and we deserve leaders with the experience, compassion and skill to help us recover. I know that’s exactly what Corey will do,” he said.

 

The endorsement by Diaz Jr. could be viewed as breaking with the rank and file of the Bronx Democratic Party which has already formally endorsed State. Sen. Brian Benjamin for the role of city comptroller, as previously reported by the Norwood News. Benjamin represents New York’s 30th senatorial district, covering Upper Manhattan.

 

Other candidates in the race include CNBC journalist, Michelle Caruso-Cabrera, a former Republican who most recently ran and lost against Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in New York’s 14th congressional district June primary race, businessman and historian, Chris J. McNickle, founder of both the Oscar Garcia-Rivera Republican Club and consulting company, Drain the Swamp LLC, Daby B Carreras, Iraq war veteran, Zachary Iscol, City Councilman Brad Lander representing District 39, former economic analyst at The Port Authority of NY & NJ, Terri Liftin, college student and former “groundskeeper” at the New York City Housing Authority, Alex K. Pan, State. Sen. Kevin S. Parker representing District 21, Manhattan Community Board 6 vice-chair of the Budget and Government Affairs committee, Reshima P. Patel, Paul A Rodriguez, whose background is unknown but who has been endorsed by New York City Conservative Party, City Councilwoman for District 6 in Manhattan, Helen K. Rosenthal, Staten Island stock trader and talk show host, John Tabacco, and New York State Assemblyman for District 24, David I. Weprin.

 

In terms of fundraising, Johnson trails Lander and Iscol in third place but not by much, with Lander having raised $907,151 to date, followed by Iscol with $889,918, and Johnson with $858,768.

 

The incumbent city comptroller, Scott Stringer, is currently running for mayor and has been endorsed by a number of members of the progressive wing of the Democratic Party, including State Sen. Alessandra Biaggi, who represents the 34th senatorial district which covers parts of the Bronx and Westchester.

 

For his part, Riley said he knows Johnson, and he knows he’ll be a comptroller who fights for The Bronx. “Working with Corey Johnson on the City Council, I’ve seen first-hand how he fights for all New Yorkers,” he said. “He knows our city budget inside and out, and will make sure The Bronx gets our fair share of federal aid and government funding. There’s so much at stake for The Bronx this year, as we try to recover from the pandemic and rebuild our communities. I trust Corey is the right candidate for the job.”