Jessica Altagracia Woolford, Democratic candidate for New York State Assembly District 81 in the Northwest Bronx, announced on Monday, May 23, that she has received the endorsement of Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14) in her bid to win the upcoming primary which is currently slated to take place in June, but which may be postponed to August, depending on the outcome of a lawsuit hearing related to the recent redistricting process that took place at a Manhattan court also on Monday.

 

Reacting to the news, Altagracia Woolford said, “I am proud to have the endorsement of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez as we prepare for the final stretch of our campaign. Bronxites are tired of being treated as afterthoughts by those in power, but she gets it.” She added, “We need leaders in the New York State Assembly who will put people over profits, and I’m ready to fight for transformative change for all of our communities from Wakefield to Riverdale. Our time is now, and we are ready to win.”

 

For her part, the congresswoman put the endorsement in context, saying, with skyrocketing rent and rising costs, it was harder than ever to make ends meet in New York. She said the nine candidates of New York Working Families Party’s “We Can’t Wait” Assembly slate, one of whom is Woolford Altagracia, were parents, teachers, and tenants who know what it’s like to worry about medical bills, eviction, and student debt.

 

“Right now, we need leaders at all levels of government laser-focused on delivering for working families,” Ocasio-Cortez said. “We can’t wait for guaranteed healthcare. We can’t wait for affordable housing. We can’t wait for climate justice. That’s why I’m proud to endorse and support the “We Can’t Wait” Assembly candidates. I can’t wait to partner with them once they’re elected to make sure New York is a place where everyone can live with dignity.”

 

As reported, some progressive candidates in past elections have been endorsed by the congresswoman’s “Courage to Change” campaign only, while others have received personal endorsements from Ocasio-Cortez, herself. Norwood News reached out to the congresswoman’s team to check what type of endorsement had been awarded to Altagracia Woolford. A campaign spokesperson said, in part, “We can confirm that it is a personal endorsement.”

 

As previously reported, the assembly district candidate was born and raised in Kingsbridge, and is currently living in Riverdale. She launched her campaign for NYS Assembly in November 2021. Since then, she has been endorsed by various progressive groups, both locally and statewide, including the NY Working Families Party, New York Communities for Change, The Jewish Vote, Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club, Citizen Action, Sunrise NYC, TREEage, Churches United for Fair Housing, Run for Something, Vote Mama, Community Voices Heard Power.

 

Assembly seat 81 is currently held by Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, who, as reported, has represented the district since 1994, when he first won in a special election. Also running in the A.D. 81 Democratic primary race is George Diaz.

 

Meanwhile, Kevin Pazmino, has announced that he is running for the 81st assembly seat on the Conservative Party ticket, as reported. Pazmino previously ran, as reported, on the Conservative and Republican Party tickets in the District 11 City Council race in 2021, ultimately losing to District 11 City Councilman Eric Dinowitz, who is the assemblyman’s son. As also reported, Pazmino previously clashed with both elected officials over the COVID-19 vaccine mandate.

 

The 81st Assembly District includes Norwood, Kingsbridge, Van Cortlandt Village, Riverdale, Kingsbridge Heights, and Marble Hill.