Jessica Altagracia Woolford, Democratic candidate for State Assembly in A.D. 81, which covers the Northwest Bronx, announced on Thursday, March 24, that she has received the endorsement of Sunrise NYC, the local chapter of the national Sunrise movement. According to its website, and as reported, Sunrise is a national grassroots mobilization to stop climate change and create millions of good-paying jobs in the process.

 

Reacting to the news, Altagracia Woolford said, “I am proud to have the endorsement of Sunrise NYC as we plan a more resilient, equitable and healthy climate future for the Northwest Bronx, and New Yorkers, statewide. When Hurricane Ida flooded parts of I-87 in our district, working class communities, homeowners, and everyday Bronxites paid the price.”

 

She added, “It’s time we work together to advance a bold and inclusive agenda to tackle the climate crisis that is unfolding right here in the Northwest Bronx. We need better housing, better public transit infrastructure, and a commitment to local hiring as we fight for a Green New Deal for New York.”

 

Meanwhile, Sunrise NYC officials said they were excited to endorse their first candidates of the 2022 cycle. “We’re looking forward to helping Jess bring environmental justice to the people of AD-81!”  Sunrise NYC wrote.

 

As reported, born and raised in Kingsbridge, and currently living in Riverdale, Altagracia Woolford launched her campaign in November 2021. She has since earned the endorsement of progressive groups, locally and statewide, including New York Working Families Party, New York Communities for Change, the Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club, Citizen Action, Sunrise NYC, TREEage, and Churches United for Fair Housing.

 

According to her campaign site, Altagracia Woolford is a mom, a caregiver, a mutual aid organizer, and proud Dominicana. She’s worked in local and national Democratic politics and government for nearly a decade, including at the 2016 Democratic Convention, the UFCW International, for the de Blasio mayoral administration, New York Immigration Coalition, and for U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand’s office. She’s also a former rank-and-file CWA member.

 

Altagracia Woolford said her grandma taught her that care should never be conditional, and that with faith, anything is possible. In one of the wealthiest cities and wealthiest countries in the world, it is Altagracia Woolford’s view that no one should ever go hungry. She said too many folks can’t afford the basics, let alone keep up with all the ways the pandemic has made life feel impossible. According to the candidate,  too many families are struggling in silence, because those in power aren’t listening.

 

As reported, at the height of the pandemic, Altagracia Woolford started Kingsbridge Unidos: a volunteer-run, mutual aid effort to deliver over 30,000 pounds of fresh produce, in addition to thousands of masks, and valuable bilingual information about COVID-19 and more to families in Kingsbridge. What started as a door-to-door delivery program at her grandma’s building, has grown to include and prioritize families experiencing homelessness through creative, uplifting and joyful programming.

 

Altagracia Woolford is a proud PREP 9 and Summer on the Hill alumna, and a product of local Bronx schools. She attended Head Start in the Marble Hill Houses, PS 207, PS 7, and Riverdale Kingsbridge Academy (MS/HS 141). She graduated from Williams College with a major in history, and a concentration in Africana studies. She currently lives in Riverdale with her husband and young daughter.

 

Assembly seat 81 is currently held by Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, who as reported has held the seat since 1994, when he won in a special election. Also running in the A.D. 81 primary race is George Diaz. In terms of campaign contributions raised, according to NYS Board of Elections data, Diaz had raised $2,705.85 as of March 12, Dinowitz had raised $146,351, while Altagracia Woolford had raised $41,351.

 

A “Pazmino for 81st Assembly” PAC had not raised any financing, as of the same date. We understand that the latter may be a PAC in support of freelance filmmaker, Kevin Pazmino, who, as reported, previously ran and lost against District 11 City Councilman Eric Dinowitz, who is the assemblyman’s son.  As reported, Pazmino has clashed with both elected officials over the vaccine mandate. We reached out to Pazmino for comment on the PAC. We did not receive an immediate response.

 

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