The Bronx political landscape stayed on course in the northwest part of the borough, with incumbents and frontrunners predictably winning in the September Democratic Primary, a contest that closely predicts the outcome of Bronx races in November’s General Election.

The victories once again signaled the party machine at work, as major support and campaign money helped secure victories for the favorites.

36th Senate District
The 36th State Senate District, covering Norwood, Bedford Park, Wakefield, Edenwald, Co-Op City, and
Mount Vernon in Westchester County, saw Jamaal T. Bailey edge out four other contenders in a decidedly easy victory for the young politico. He trounced candidates Edward A. Mulraine, Alvin Ponder, Pamela A. Hamilton-Johnson, and Rev. Que English, grabbing more than 50 percent of the vote or more than 7000 votes. 

Celebrating his win at the Eastwood Manor in Edenwald, Bailey said the victory was not about him but the collective effort.

“United we stand and divided we fall–this is what I want to bring to the New York Senate,” Bailey said. “It’s not about the title. I would prefer it if you didn’t call me ‘Senator,’” Bailey said during his victory speech. He was flanked by Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, who groomed Bailey to be a rising star within the Bronx Democratic County Committee ranks, and convinced the party to back Bailey.

“For every corner of the district, I think that he will be really big shoes to fill. People will be very happy because his heart is in the right place, his mind is in the right place,” Speaker Heastie said at the party.

Bailey has toured the entire district over the course of the race, spotted in portions of Norwood and Bedford Park, areas that were largely under-represented, according to constituents. He’s long pledged not to forget about the two neighborhoods. The seat was relinquished by longtime legislator Sen. Ruth Hassell-Thompson, who left the Senate to become special advisor for policy and community affairs of state Homes and Community Renewal under Governor Andrew Cuomo.

Natasha Green, 33, said she has been a “sporadic volunteer” since Bailey began campaigning and says she’s been inspired by his age and connection to Speaker Heastie. “Millennials are going to change the way that future politicians will get work done and determine the path,” Green, who lives in Williamsbridge said. Randall Ogilvie, 27, said he joined the campaign in June at a family member’s suggestion. He said he hopes that Bailey will support local youth through educational programs.

Neither Mulraine, Ponder, Hamilton-Johnson nor English submitted statements for comment.

33rd Senate District

State Sen. Gustavo Rivera, representing the 33rd State Senate District, once again defeated recurring challenger, 14th District Council Member Fernando Cabrera. Unofficial results by the New York State Board of Elections (official results don’t come out for weeks), showed Rivera winning 60 percent of the vote.

It was Cabrera’s second attempt at unseating Rivera, with the first try happening two years ago. Cabrera, who remains Councilman, told supporters at Sabor Latino on Jerome Avenue his legislative record is still substantial. “The fact is I’m the one who brought the Tenant Bill of Rights, and we’ll rezone all of Jerome Avenue so we could have affordable housing, and low-income housing for our people, and we will fulfill that promise,” Cabrera said.

For months, the two sides were at vicious loggerheads, with Rivera painting Cabrera as a Democrat with true Republican leanings. Cabrera criticized Rivera’s record of achievements, saying Rivera hasn’t brought a dime to the district. Rivera, meantime, has long criticized Cabrera’s conservative leanings.

“I credit this victory to the fact that the people of the Bronx recognize a lie when they see one,” Rivera told the Norwood News, referring to Cabrera. “I know that the work that my team and I have done over the last six years has made a difference in people’s lives.”

78th Assembly District
Assemblyman Jose Rivera edged out challenger Ischia Bravo in one of his more formidable races to date. Though viewed as a “do-nothing Assemblyman,” Rivera grabbed 59.78 percent of the vote to Bravo’s 32.25 percent, according to figures by the State Board of Election. The 78th Assembly District covers Bedford Park, Fordham, Belmont, and Kingsbridge.

With support from powerhouse labor unions such as 1199 SEIU and Local 32BJ, Rivera once again keeps a post he’s held for more than a decade. He’s long been criticized as a lackluster legislator, having barely sponsored bills. This prompted Bravo to label Rivera as a lawmaker who simply “collects a paycheck.”

Rivera wasn’t available for comment. An emotional Bravo, at a scheduled election night party on Arthur Avenue, told supporters she thought she “put up a good fight,” which was followed by applause. “What bothers me that this man continues to win, and we don’t have representation,” Bravo said. “But I’m not going away….I’m coming back in 2018.”

86th Assembly District
In the west Bronx, 86th District Assemblyman Victor Pichardo once again staved off a defeat from perennial opponent Hector Ramirez. It was Ramirez’s third attempt at unseating Pichardo. In the 2014 race, Pichardo narrowly defeated Ramirez by a mere two votes. This time, Pichardo trounced Ramirez, grabbing 62.39 percent of the vote, a clear indicator he will keep his seat without a judge deciding the race as in previous elections.

Pichardo, enjoying victory at Chelsea Craft Brewing Company, told supporters, “This victory is not about me…It was about the folks who are trying to figure out how to buy a gallon of milk and pay rent at the same time.”

Ramirez, who faces a 242-count indictment for voter fraud in his failed Assembly bid against Pichardo in 2014, came in with 31.50 percent of the votes. The primary victor celebrated his win in the Bronx with family, friends and supporters, including Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Councilman Rafael Salamanca Jr., and Councilwoman Vanessa Gibson.

Pichardo said his win “lifted” a cloud that has hung over the 86th Assembly seat because of what he deemed to be Ramirez’s “dirty tactics.” 

78th and 80th Assembly Districts (Female District Leader)

Incumbents holding the title of Female District Leader for the respective 78th and 80th Assembly Districts kept their seats against newcomer candidates.

Nilda Velazquez defeated challenger and first-time candidate Samelys Lopez in the 78th AD race while Andrea Siegel narrowly defeated Roxanne Delgado for the 80th AD.

Winning candidates will now head to the general election to be held Nov. 8.

Additional reporting by Daniela Beasley, David Greene and Miriam Quinones.

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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.