As reported by Norwood News, Crespo, an education liaison to the Bronx borough president whose candidacy we previously profiled, won 15.08 percent of the vote in the special election, based the first round count of first-choice early votes, first-choice election day votes, but excluding first-choice absentee ballots which are still being counted. To win, a candidate needs over 50 percent of the vote.

 

Oswald Feliz, tenant lawyer and adjunct professor at Hostos Community College, has, so far, taken a strong, early lead in the race, based on the release by the New York City Board of Elections of the unofficial, first-round count results (excluding absentee ballots).

 

As part of her statement, Crespo said she had enjoyed her time building a community focused on representing the diversity among Bronx neighborhoods, and that it had been an honor and privilege to run in the District 15 special election.

 

“Our campaign ran a strong effort and I am so proud of my team and the work we did,” she said. “We stayed true to our message to improve upon the material needs of our community. Our campaign made others work harder, and we’ve led the conversation on policy by boldly fighting for great jobs, affordable housing, and quality education; the social contract that our City owes us to lead a dignified life.”

1/5 It’s been a privilege to organize in the Bronx over the last year. I’m proud of my team and our work. I’m forever grateful to our supporters and the voters of CCD15. After much thought, I will not be running in the June primary. My full statement: 🎥👇🏽 pic.twitter.com/4sKz2Q1JTl

— Elisa Crespo (@elisacresponyc) April 6, 2021

 

Crespo added that her campaign had made politics a little bit more empathetic, and that they had also made history while doing so. Had she been elected, Crespo would have been the first transgender woman to have been sworn in as a lawmaker to New York City Council.

 

In the lead-up to the special election date, paper flyers had been circulating in the borough making reference to Crespo’s past arrest, in an apparent attempt to disparage her candidacy. Crespo denounced the attacks on Twitter, issuing a message of condemnation, which was retweeted by Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernández on election day. Fernández also denounced the negative attacks as bigotry which would not be tolerated.

 

The Norwood News had been contacted by a source, after the election, who said that one of the other candidates in the race was behind the negative flyer campaign. However, to date, we have no evidence to support this.

Shameful. @elisacresponyc has proven herself to be a strong candidate and advocate for our community. This type of hate and bigotry will not be tolerated. Not in The Bronx. Not ever. https://t.co/HrOx0l1w4K

— Nathalia Fernández (@Fernandez4NY) March 23, 2021

 

Fernández’s sentiment was echoed by Crespo’s fellow candidate, Bronx Community Board 6 District manager, John Sanchez who also tweeted his condemnation of the smear campaign, saying, “This is absolutely abhorrent and unacceptable. Elisa and her team have epitomized class throughout the campaign and I condemn whoever did this.”

 

This is absolutely abhorrent and unacceptable. Elisa and her team have epitomized class throughout the campaign and I condemn whoever did this. https://t.co/d26vps2sNi

— John Sanchez (@NYJohnSanchez) March 23, 2021

 

Crespo made no reference to the negative attacks as part of her announcement. “I’m looking forward to continuing to organize our community, expand the electorate, and serving our neighbors in need as a community organizer,” she said. “I’m also looking forward to building political power among the LGBTQ community, and our allies in the Bronx. Our fight for jobs and justice will continue, and I hope you’ll join me in my new efforts.”

 

She said her campaign had taught her a lot, that she was grateful for the lessons she’s learned, and that she would take them with her wherever she goes. “That being said, I’ve given much thought to our work and I’ve decided not to run for the Democratic primary in June. I wish my colleagues well in this next cycle.”

 

Crespo concluded with a shorter message in Spanish.

 

Meanwhile, Feliz leads the special election race with 28.42 percent of the first choice ballot count (excluding absentee ballots), followed by Bronx Community Board 7 District Manager, Ischia Bravo, with 21.54 percent, and Community Board 6 District Manager, John Sanchez, with 20.21 percent, with over 96 percent of voting scanners reported.

 

In terms of the remaining unofficial results for the remaining seven candidates, Crespo follows with 15.08 percent of the vote, then Latchmi Gopal, a community organizer and former staffer for U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, with 4.04 percent, Altagracia Soldevilla, another community organizer, with 2.77 percent, Kenny Agosto, district director to New York State Senator Jamaal T. Bailey, with 2.57 percent, Bernadette Ferrara, president of the Van Nest Neighborhood Alliance, with 2.18 percent,  Jose Padilla, former Independence candidate for both the New York State Assembly and the New York State Senate, with 1.68 percent, and  Arial Rivera-Diaz, a former finance clerk with the City’s Board of Elections and former official at the Republican National Hispanic Assembly, with 1.21 percent.

 

Among a slate of previous endorsements, Crespo had received a late boost to her special election campaign with news that the progressive group, Our City PAC, was backing her as their first choice candidate.

 

The group pledged to reach out to District 15 voters multiple times across TV, internet, social media, and mail buys to help elect Crespo during the final days of the campaign, adding that they anticipated overall spending to be in the mid-five figures.

 

In terms of campaign contributions, Crespo had raised the third-highest amount, at $43,431, after Sanchez and Bravo, prior to the special election date.

 

City Council District 15 covers Fordham, Mount Hope, Bathgate, Belmont, East Tremont, West Farms, Van Nest, Allerton, Olinville and parts of Bedford Park.