Norwood’s Councilman is exploring a run for Bronx Borough President, adding to a list of potential suitors for the borough’s top executive post.

Councilman Andrew Cohen, the 11th Council District representative covering Norwood, Bedford Park, Woodlawn, Wakefield, Riverdale, Fieldston, Kingsbridge, and Marble Hill, told the Norwood News he’s weighing considering whether to enter a race that’ll open in 2021. He’s laying the ground work in some ways, crisscrossing different parts of the Bronx as a way of understanding its nuances and putting his name out there.

“I’m not shy about it. I’m thinking about it,” said Cohen. “We’re approaching the halfway point in my second term, and I’m thinking that I would like to contribute to the revival of the Bronx.”

Cohen would be vying for a seat that would be up for grabs since 2021 would be the year current Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. is term-limited out of office.

Cohen has kept his eye on several options. Last year, he expressed interest in relinquishing his Council seat to become a judge, a move that was upended when state Sen. Jeff Klein lost to current state Sen. Alessandra Biaggi. Reports indicated Klein had wanted to be a judge following his loss, but Bronx Democratic Party chair Marcos Crespo opted against it as a way of maintaining stability. With that, Cohen’s plan was put on the back burner.

With Cohen staying put (he’s decided to remain Councilman through the duration of his term), it slowed down plans for contenders of Cohen’s seat, namely Dan Padernacht and Eric Dinowitz, the son of Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz.

For the last five years, Cohen has operated a largely smooth, scandal-free office that’s garnered him praise among constituents within his district. His constituent services unit at his Kingsbridge office has served as his eyes and ears for the district, while his Participatory Budgeting programming has opened the door for constituents to have greater control over capital monies spent on community-based projects.

Really enjoyed looking for Easter eggs today with my hard working #Bronx @NYCCouncil colleague and friend @Salamancajr80 in Barretto Point Park! pic.twitter.com/5yifczZR9G

— Andrew Cohen (@AndrewCohenNYC) April 13, 2019

With Cohen making the rounds across the Bronx, he’s found gentrification to be a key issue, citing the “very mixed bag” results that have happened in Brooklyn.

“I think that while things have not gotten out of control that we are very careful stewards that the people who live in Bronx County and have supported Bronx County continue to have a home in Bronx County,” said Cohen. “It’s going to require active management that we need people who are going to really going to be on the job.”

Other names bouncing around the Bronx political sphere for possible borough presidential candidates include party chair Crespo, Councilwoman Vanessa Gibson, and Councilman Fernando Cabrera. Crespo has long alluded to interest in the post.

Gibson, a former Assembly Member before representing the 16th Council District in the West Bronx, told the Norwood News she’s also exploring a run. She cited her experience in the city and state level where she’s forged relationships as one reason she should be voted for borough president should she run.

“I’m definitely looking forward to another chapter of public service in some way where I can serve a larger constituency and really continue a lot of the work I’ve already done really in the West Bronx in serving residents and families,” said Gibson, who currently serves on the Sub-Committee on Capital Budget/Finance, which hammers out the complicated New York City Fiscal Budget. “I just look at my entire career and I think putting all that together it makes for definitely well-roundedness in terms of state/city, and obviously taking it to another level.”

Gibson has also been making the rounds, picking the brains of her constituents across the borough. “The borough president has a very important role in working with the mayor and the administration, and whoever that mayor is, right, and will be, will have to work with the incoming borough president,” said Gibson.

Cabrera was unavailable for comment.

Just who will enter the race will be decided upon after the more closely watched race for the 15th Congressional District seat set to be vacated by Congressman Jose Serrano, according to one Bronx political observer.

“What you very well could see is a very, very crowded race for borough president in 2021 when they settled the race for Congressman Jose Serrano’s seat and the losers are still looking to move up,” said one Bronx political source.

In either case, Cohen believes the more voices in a race the better for the Bronx.

“We just had this Public Advocate’s special election there were seventeen candidates on the ballot, so I would not be surprised if there would be a robust field for Bronx Borough President, which I think would be good for Bronxites,” said Cohen.

Gibson expects a crowded race, given how much 2021 will be the year virtually the entire city government posts, including mayor, comptroller, and public advocate, will be up for grabs.

“It’s going to be huge,” said Gibson.