Photo Courtesy of NY Senate Media Services
New York State Sen. Alessandra Biaggi announced her candidacy for U.S. Congress in New York’s third congressional district (NY-3) on Monday. Biaggi, known as a progressive leader who has worked to make State government more transparent, said she was running to ensure hard working families along the Sound shore have their voices, needs, and vision heard in Washington D.C.
Up until now, the 3rd congressional district included most of the North Shore of Long Island, and expanded from Northwestern Suffolk County, across Northern Nassau County, and into far Northeastern Queens. However, the newly drawn NY-3 district, following the most recent redistricting proposal by Democrats, which has since been signed off by Gov. Kathy Hochul, encompasses parts of the senator’s current Senatorial District 34 in The Bronx and Southern Westchester, and spans along the Sound from Northern Westchester to Suffolk County.
New York’s 3rd congressional district has been represented since Jan. 3, 2017, by Thomas Suozzi, a moderate Democrat, who announced, in November 2021, that he was running for governor.
In a statement, announcing her decision on Monday, Biaggi said, “Our country doesn’t just need more Democrats in Washington, we need bolder ones. I am running for Congress in NY-3 to bring progressive and honest leadership to the frontlines of our country’s most important fights.” The senator added that the hard-working families of Westchester, Long Island, the Bronx, and Queens deserved an experienced, strong, and fearless leader in Washington, and that this was exactly what they could expect from her.
“As the Representative of the Sound, I will work to combat climate change and protect our shorelines, expand voting rights, enact universal pre-K to support working parents, provide opportunity and relief for the middle class, protect abortion rights, ensure public safety and a fair criminal legal system, and deliver affordable healthcare for all,” she said. “Together, we delivered progressive change on these issues in Albany, and it is time to bring our energy and resolve to Washington.”
Having caused widespread upset in 2018 when she defeated the powerful head of the IDC (Independent Democratic Caucus) in the form of establishment Democrat, Jeffrey Klein, to put Democrats back in control of New York’s State Senate, many would not doubt that Biaggi could well pull it out of the bag, once again, at congressional level. This is especially so, given her close, political allies in Congress in the form of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14) and Rep. Jamaal Bowman (NY-16). Both unseated longtime Democrats when they won their respective seats for the first time in recent years.
The IDC, led by Klein, was a group of eight New York State senators who were elected to office as Democrats but who formed a coalition with Republicans, blocking most progressive legislation in New York State for over seven years. As reported by The New York Times, in the Sept. 13, 2018 Democratic primary, after an unprecedented grassroots campaign, six IDC senators, including Klein, were defeated by progressive challengers backed by the group, No IDC NY, including Biaggi.
As reported, the senator is a long-time critic of former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, both for his handling of the care of nursing home patients amid the pandemic, and in the context of the allegations of sexual misconduct which were investigated by the Office of New York’s Attorney General, Letitia James. The senator was among the first to call for his resignation, long before the former governor was ultimately forced him out of his position last August. James later referred her office’s report findings to local State prosecutors to litigate.
The New York Times and other media outlets have since reported that the former governor has avoided sex-crime charges in all five cases brought forward, and is reportedly considering a new run for office, himself. Cuomo apologized for his behavior and continues to deny the allegations of sexual misconduct, saying he never intended to make anyone feel uncomfortable, but apologized if this was the case. Meanwhile, it is also rumored that former Mayor of New York, Bill de Blasio, is also thinking of running for Congress, reported by several media outlets.
Biaggi is known for her strong stance on any matter relating to sexual misconduct, and has been open about being a survivor of child sexual abuse, saying in a joint statement on Twitter on April 28, amid the allegations against Cuomo, together with State Sen. Julia Salazar and Assembly Member Yuh-Line Niou, “As survivors of childhood sexual assault, we believe survivors.”
The senator has also shown that she pulls no punches, and is not beyond cutting ties with former allies when she feels strongly about an issue, as was the case when she withdrew her support for former New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer during his recent run for Mayor of New York City. It followed allegations made against Stringer by a former staffer, also of sexual misconduct which Stringer also denied.
Photo by Miriam Quiñones
Norwood News re-contacted the Stringer campaign for comment following reports of a second allegation by a second woman, Teresa Logan, in early June 2021, which the comptroller also denied. A representative for his campaign provided the following quote from the former City Comptroller, which read, “While I do not remember Ms. Logan, if I ever did anything to make her uncomfortable, I am sorry.” As reported, he ultimately stepped down from his campaign after poor polling. Biaggi had previously campaigned for Stringer in Riverdale, as reported.
Later, Biaggi, Salazar and Niou said in a joint statement, “Our commitment to a harassment-free government, workplace, and society is steadfast, and our zero tolerance standard regarding sexual assault applies to [alleged] abusers like Andrew Cuomo, if not more so, to our friends.”
In this new #NY03 district, it is vital our East Bronx communities have a representative in Washington that will listen to us & act boldy to address our concerns. With @Biaggi4NY we have that person. I’m supporting Alessandra & I ask you to support her toohttps://t.co/PoZ8l27D7G
— John Doyle (@JohnDoyle4NYC) February 8, 2022
Biaggi has since become a two-term Democratic State senator, having regained her seat in 2020. Since taking office, her campaign said she has been working to create a more equitable New York, delivering wins for working families and paving the way for progressive Democrats to run for office and win.
As reported, she was a fervent supporter of Mino Lora, executive director of the People’s Theater Project and a progressive candidate who ran in the 2021 District 11 City Council races (both in the special and in the primary election three months later). She placed second on both occasions. The sometimes bitterly fought races were ultimately won by now Councilman Eric Dinowitz, as reported.
Map courtesy of the Office of Congressman Thomas Suozzi (NY-3)
In September 2021, Hochul announced the appointments of Commissioner James E. Dering and the Honorable C. Randall Hinrichs to serve on the Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE). Dering was previously appointed to JCOPE by Cuomo and formerly served in the Cuomo administration as general counsel of the Department of Health.
Biaggi issued the following statement in response to the announcement at the time, “As Chair of the Senate Ethics Committee, the appointment of Commissioner James E. Dering to serve as the Acting Chair of JCOPE is concerning. Governor Hochul had both an opportunity and responsibility to appoint a new Chair with the qualifications to transform the culture of JCOPE. Rather than fulfilling her promise to prioritize transparency and integrity in government, Governor Hochul’s appointment only maintains the status quo. It is now even more imperative for the Legislature to take matters into our own hands, and pass legislation to completely reform and restructure our state’s system of ethics and oversight.”
Hochul later announced she was appointing Jose Nieves and Sharon Stern Gerstman to serve on the Commission, with the two appointees filling-in the seats vacated by Robert Cohen and James E. Dering, who would be stepping down from their roles. “Restoring trust in government is a top priority for my administration, and that includes strengthening ethics oversight,” Hochul said at the time. “Jose Nieves and Sharon Stern Gerstman are well-respected and talented professionals who will uphold our commitment to open, ethical governing and help to transform not just state government, but more importantly, people’s image and perception of their state government.”
Rumors abound that Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernández (A.D. 80), seen here pictured with the senator at a back-to-school event last year, as reported, may be thinking of running to fill the senator’s seat were Biaggi to win in NY-3. Norwood News reached out to the assemblywoman’s office for comment on Monday morning. We did not receive an immediate response. We will update this story upon receipt of any information we receive.
Meanwhile, City & State reported that in addition to Fernández, 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, were also considering running.
Norwood News reached out to each one for comment. We received the following response from Doyle. “I worked for the State Senate for five years and I’m a lifelong resident of this district. It’s important to me that we elect someone who understands how to make government work for people while also continuing the change Senator Biaggi and her colleagues started in 2018,” he said. “Whether as a candidate or a concerned citizen, I will be fighting to make sure we get the best possible Senator who can achieve great things for our community.”
Velázquez was quoted in the City & State story as saying, “I’m seriously considering running for State Senate.” She added, “The State Senate provides a great platform to make the lives of our neighborhoods better. I look forward to the process.” The councilwoman reportedly told City & State that COVID-19 and housing would be key issues in a possible senatorial campaign run.
For his part, Amato later told the Norwood News, “From the minute we took our district back from the clutches of the IDC, it has been crucial to ensure that our State Senator remains connected to the grassroots movement that helped us gain our historic Democratic Majority in the Senate.”
He added, “Over the years, I have had the privilege of working in the Senate to serve our community and help our constituents; as an organizer, I have worked across the Bronx and Westchester with regional advocates, and through the pandemic, I formed a mutual aid network that continues to bring 10,000 pounds of fresh produce weekly and over 1 million face masks and PPE supplies to our Bronx neighborhoods.”
Amato concluded, “I am deeply committed to seeing our communities rise together. As I explore the viability of a Senate run, I’ll be certain to remain connected to the grassroots voices in our District and will make a decision based on what is best for our community.”
For her part, Theobald said, “I can confirm I’m considering it. The messages of support I’ve received since yesterday has only encouraged me more. The district needs strong, experienced leadership and I think I have a lot to offer.”
Locally, Jessica Woolford Altagracia, a candidate for the upcoming June primary assembly election in the Bronx’s 81st assembly district, as reported, issued the following statement following Biaggi’s announcement on Monday, together with assembly candidate, Jonathan Soto, who is running to fill the 82nd assembly district seat.
Map courtesy of the NYS Independent Redistricting Commission
“Our shared priority is to bring fresh leadership to the New York State Assembly, to unify our communities across the Bronx, and deliver uncompromising care to the 81st and 82nd ADs,” they wrote. “That’s where our focus remains and we wish NYS Sen. Biaggi the best of luck on her campaign and look forward to working with our next State Senator to deliver for our communities.”
The 81st assembly seat in the Northwest Bronx has been held for over twenty years by Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, who Biaggi has been known to clash with on occasion, and who is a longtime ally of Biaggi’s predecessor, Klein. Meanwhile, the 82nd assembly district seat is currently held by Michael Benedetto. Both Dinowitz and Benedetto conclude their respective current terms on Jan. 1, 2023.
Meanwhile, Biaggi’s campaign said she’s ready to bring her fighting spirit to Washington on behalf of the people of NY-3. Her campaign added that she is a fourth-generation resident of the NY-3 district.
According to Ballotpedia, the senator was assigned to the following committees during the 2021-2022 legislative session.
- Senate Agriculture Committee
- Senate Codes Committee
- Ethics and Internal Governance Committee, Chair
- Senate Health Committee
- Investigations and Government Operations Committee
- Senate Judiciary Committee
- Senate Rules Committee
Editor’s Note: The New York Times and others reported in December 2022 that Stringer filed a defamation lawsuit against Jean Kim, who had accused him of alleged sexual assault when she worked for him as an intern. Stringer claimed the allegations were fake and cost him the 2021 mayoral bid.
In March 2023, The NY Post reported that Kim has filed a lawsuit against Stringer under the New York’s Adult Survivors Act, which opened a one-year window for adult victims of sexual abuse to sue even if their claims fell outside the statute of limitations. Stringers denies any wrongdoing.
In August 2023, a Manhattan Supreme Court Judge rejected an attempt by Scott Stringer to sue the woman who accused him of sexual misconduct for defamation. Judge Richard Latin granted a motion to dismiss filed by defendant Jean Kim, finding Stringer’s claims were time-barred.
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Welcome to the Norwood News, a bi-weekly community newspaper that primarily serves the northwest Bronx communities of Norwood, Bedford Park, Fordham and University Heights. Through our Breaking Bronx blog, we focus on news and information for those neighborhoods, but aim to cover as much Bronx-related news as possible. Founded in 1988 by Mosholu Preservation Corporation, a not-for-profit affiliate of Montefiore Medical Center, the Norwood News began as a monthly and grew to a bi-weekly in 1994. In September 2003 the paper expanded to cover University Heights and now covers all the neighborhoods of Community District 7. The Norwood News exists to foster communication among citizens and organizations and to be a tool for neighborhood development efforts. The Norwood News runs the Bronx Youth Journalism Heard, a journalism training program for Bronx high school students. As you navigate this website, please let us know if you discover any glitches or if you have any suggestions. We’d love to hear from you. You can send e-mails to norwoodnews@norwoodnews.org or call us anytime (718) 324-4998.
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