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As expected, Bronx Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez (A.D. 80) formally announced on Thursday, June 2, her intent to run to represent the people of New York’s 34th State senate district, currently represented by Sen. Alessandra Biaggi until the end of the year, in the Democratic senatorial primary held on August 23. The senate district covers parts of both The Bronx and Westchester counties and was redrawn by a court appointed special master in May 2022. Fernandez has since won the Democratic primary nomination for redrawn S.D. 34, as reported.

 

Meanwhile, as also reported, Biaggi, herself, ran for the Democratic nomination for Congress in New York’s 17th congressional district but ultimately lost to Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney (NY-18), who she has since campaigned with ahead of the general election.

 

At the time of her announcement of her senatorial campaign, Fernandez said, “I am humbled to announce my campaign for State Senate to ensure equitable pandemic recovery and increased economic investment in District 34.” In the Bronx, the redrawn district comprises parts of Clason Point, Castle Hill, Throggs Neck, Parkchester, Pelham, Country Club, Schuylerville, Pelham Bay and City Island.

 

Previously, it covered a large swath of the Northwest Bronx and parts of Van Cortlandt Village, Bedford Park and Jerome Park.

 

“I have long devoted myself to serving my community,” Fernandez continued. “As an assemblywoman, I stepped up to the monumental challenge of rebuilding the local economy amidst the pandemic, while ensuring my community had the fiscal resources and health resources they needed to remain strong.” The assemblywoman added, “I have that experience and I know how to use it to achieve real change.”

 

Fernandez continued, “Our community deserves a representative that is already ingrained within the issues facing the district,” Meanwhile, campaign described the assemblywoman as “a natural leader who has proudly served the 80th State Assembly District since 2018, has helped the community with pandemic recovery and economic revitalization.”

 

As reported, since February, the assemblywoman had been rumored to announce a run for the 34th senate seat, along with A.D. 82 district leader, John Doyle, recently elected, district 13 city council member, Marjorie Velázquez, Bronx Community Board 11 member, Christian Amato, and Kate Theobald, chief of staff to Manhattan Council Member Keith Powers and a Riverdale resident. It’s likely the recent redistricting debacle delayed the decision for many candidates.

 

Fernández said she has also worked to increase the financial resources within the community. “While parts of New York City recover from the pandemic, The Bronx, Westchester, Pelham, Pelham Manor and New Rochelle cannot be left behind,” she said. “This district needs experienced guidance to continue on the path of economic-growth it was on pre-pandemic. Our community deserves a representative that is already ingrained within the issues facing the district. I have that experience and I know how to use it to achieve real change.”

 

Despite recent redistricting, the 34th senate district remains deep blue, meaning the final general election for the seat will largely be decided during the upcoming August primary. The assemblywoman’s campaign maintains the seat “requires a leader who is ready to step in and get to work, with a steadfast understanding of how to to get things done in Albany.”

 

Her team says Fernandez, who already serves part of District 34 as assembly member for the 80th assembly district, “will enter the field as a candidate with steadfast Democratic support, and an understanding of what it takes to bring real results to the people of the district.”

 

In her campaign for senate, her campaign team said she “will continue fighting to improve comprehensive quality of life for her district now, and for many generations to come.” In the context of criminal justice reform, they added, “She worked to pass the Andrew Kearse Act into law as well as advocated for the Excluded Workers Fund and Fair Pay for Home Care workers to provide much-needed community support through the pandemic.” Norwood News previously reported on the assemblywoman’s sponsorship of the bill, as well as on funding she secured for local libraries.

“Through the Homeowners Assistance program, she has worked to mitigate high property taxes in support of those paying high mortgages and fees during the pandemic, while the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) and Landlord Rental Assistance Program provided significant economic relief to those struggling to pay rent,” campaign officials added.

 

Her campaign said, in addition, “through increasing access to mental health resources, promoting youth financial literacy education, advocating for public transportation needs and supporting local businesses when they needed it most, she has built a track record of accountability. This proves that she is the candidate who will fight for the needs of the 34th district in their time of need.”

 

In the context of the announcement, fellow Assembly Member Karines Reyes (A.D. 87), said, “I am proud to endorse my colleague Nathalia Fernandez’s candidacy to represent New York State Senate District 34. She has been a passionate fighter for criminal justice reform and quality of life issues in the East Bronx. I know that she will be an effective partner in representing working families of this district and I look forward to campaigning with her.”

 

Meanwhile, the Bronx Democratic Party, chaired by State Sen. Jamaal Bailey and representing neighboring senatorial district 36 in The Bronx, also announced the party’s endorsement of Fernandez, sharing in a press statement, As a proven champion for Bronxites in the New York State Assembly, she has fought to advance environmental justice, healthcare access, economic development, education reform, and stronger tenant protections across the borough and State.’

 

Party officials added, “A daughter of immigrants, Nathalia first entered public service with a desire to serve her community and neighbors and tackle the systemic issues that have for too long plagued our borough. From her leadership supporting communities throughout the Bronx during Covid-19 with critical resources, to passing landmark criminal justice reform with the Andrew Kearse act, and legislation to protect children and families from harmful chemicals and pollutants, to bolstering anti-discrimination protections for New Yorkers with disabilities, Nathalia has been a fearless voice in Albany for the people of the Bronx.”

 

Bronx Democrats concluded, saying they were confident the assemblywoman would bring “that same commitment, drive, and leadership to serve The Bronx and Westchester communities of the 34th Senatorial District and continue the work towards a safer, healthier, and renewed state where all of our families can thrive.”

 

As previously reported, the assemblywoman saw off challenges to her assembly seat in 2020 by Republican, Gene DeFrancis for a second time, and later placed third in the race for the Bronx borough president, ultimately won by current president, Vanessa Gibson. In the latter race, she had garnered a number of supporters and endorsements, including from the United African Coalition and former mayoral progressive candidate, Maya Wiley.

 

Senate District 34 broadly covers parts of Pelham, Westchester, The Bronx, Pelham Manor and New Rochelle.