By DAVID CRUZ

Assemblyman Marcos Crespo was unanimously elected as the next leader of the Bronx Democratic County Committee (BDCC) in a volunteer position that piles more responsibilities to Crespo in exchange for raising his profile.

The committee met briefly at its headquarters off Eastchester Road on March 5 to officially vote for Crespo, a legislator representing the 85^th Assembly District, which largely covers Soundview, for the past six years. Twenty-six of the 29 district leaders voted for Crespo, who was accompanied by his family. The other three were absent, though their vote would have gone to Crespo, according to lawmakers.

Assemblyman Jeff Dinowitz, the County committee chair who initially expressed interest in the seat, made the motion to vote Crespo that was seconded by Councilwoman Vanessa Gibson, according to members. Crespo, who faced no official opposition, now succeeds Assemblyman Carl Heastie, who moved on to become Assembly Speaker in February.

The committee later gathered at the Pine Bar & Grill across the street at a second floor dining room complete with many of Crespo’s close allies, including Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. Over drinks and hor’dourves, many legislators characterized Crespo as a young consensus builder for the party, much like Crespo’s predecessor.

Crespo, 34, has been in league with Heastie for several years, often sitting alongside each other at the Assembly chambers. His friendship with Heastie, Diaz, and more recently Senator Jeff Klein (a portion of their districts overlap in the South Bronx) has arguably contributed to his rise.

The unanimous vote offers an outward sign of solidarity for the BDCC, the dominant party that for years was known for division and infighting. For decades ethnic politics drove a wedge between minority and white legislators. In recent years, the political tone has shifted from one of chaos to unity, though traces of ethnic politics linger, according to one legislator who asked not to be named.

Still, the sense of unity has established a greater sense of party coalition thanks to a 2008 coup of “Rainbow Rebels” who unseated then county leader, Assemblyman Jose Rivera, blamed for much of the internal hostility.

“There’s a lot of work to be done to maintain the unity that we have, to strengthen our bonds and relationships and to continue to elect candidates who are going to make the Bronx proud,” Crespo told the Norwood News.

The position now attaches more responsibilities to Crespo. Among them is the arduous task of working the phones to fundraise on behalf of the party.

“It’s challenging, it’s commendable,” said Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. of Heastie’s acceptance of the volunteer post. “In this day and age to be a leader of a political party, to raise money for Democrats, get the message out there, all while you have your own elections to worry about, your own family to worry about. It’s not easy.”

But among the more influential responsibilities is setting a political tone. Along with fundraising, county leaders elect county officers, nominate judges, and endorse candidates, with committee members often abiding by the leader’s choice. The hard balance is often made tougher with the role of a county leader. “Sometimes you get folks that are not so great,” said Diaz. “In this case we get an added bonus of continuity in great leadership, from Carl to Marcos.”

Crespo’s new duties, should he succeed at them, can lead to a respectable run for Bronx Borough President, a job he’s mulled for some time.

The party has indeed seen a seen a streak of unification, though it has done little to externalize its sense of civic engagement to the masses. The Bronx currently remains notorious for lackluster voter turnout during the primaries, which often matter more than the general election, a trend Crespo intends to reverse. He has done so in his capacity as Assemblyman, sponsoring get out the vote events that included “Bring Your Children to Vote Campaign.”

But working against Crespo is his social conservative beliefs in a predominantly liberal Democratic borough.

Crespo admitted that though he is socially conservative, his beliefs won’t bleed entirely into who the party will back during judicial and legislative elections. “We want people who are good, people who are prepared, want people who are honest, people who know their communities, who are from their communities. Not just make communities proud, but their whole borough proud,” said Crespo.

But Crespo is one of the few social conservative Democrats in the Bronx, voting against gay marriage and opposing abortion when the issues came before the Assembly. “In the end, I’m pro-Democratic, always have, always will be,” said Crespo. “This is a party that is inclusive to various trains of thought.”