Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez took the oath of office to be the 80th Assembly District representative, telling guests the state “must dream big.”

Alongside friends and family, Fernandez was sworn into office by New York State Supreme Court Judge Llinet Rosado at Jacobi Medical Center, which falls within her district.

Fernandez, a Democrat, laid out her support for a progressive agenda, and calling out skeptics.

“To those who are naysayers and deniers. To those don’t believe a progressive vision is best for our community, we have one thing to say to you: that you are outnumbered,” said Fernandez, in her remarks.

The ceremony was largely symbolic. Fernandez has already been on the job after winning a special election last April, serving as interim Assembly representative after former Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj, who was also Fernandez’ boss, stepped down after winning the seat for Council Member for the 13th Council District. Fernandez would go on to win the September Primary, where winners, at least in the Bronx, go on to win the November election. She did so.

Gjonaj was on hand, along with US Senator Charles Schumer, and newly-elected New York Attorney General Letitia James, who all showered her with accolades over her qualifications.

Fernandez is the first person of Cuban and Colombian descent to represent the 80th Assembly District, which covers Norwood and extends down to the Bronx neighborhoods of Morris Park, Van Nest, Pelham Parkway, and Allerton. Fernandez also represents the growing number of women in Bronx politics, alongside Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and newly sworn in state Sen. Alessandra Biaggi.

For the last nine months Fernandez has made the rounds across the district, hosting events while representing the district in Albany. Her democratic agenda runs in line with basic democratic principles that include criminal justice reforms, education reforms, and improving conditions in mostly minority communities.

“I’m here to speak for those who cannot,” said Fernandez. “I’m here to serve at the will of the people.”

Recently, Fernandez has established a district office at 2018 Williamsbridge Rd., the former joint campaign headquarters of Gjonaj and former state Sen. Jeff Klein, moving out of the Pelham Parkway South office.

Fernandez’ term runs for two years before having to run again.

admin

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.