Ruben Diaz Jr.
A combative Ruben Diaz Jr. endorses a drama-free Bill Thompson for mayor
In endorsing former City Comptroller Bill Thompson for mayor, the Bronx Borough President, Ruben Diaz Jr., said he choosing an experienced candidate who was also, "even-headed" and "able to listen to you." More
From living-wage battlefield to 'largest ice sports center on the planet'
On Tuesday morning, erstwhile political combatants Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. announced that the Kingsbridge Armory would become, in its developers words, "the largest ice sports center on the planet." More
'This is a Latino issue': The Quinn-targeted paid sick leave campaign, continued
The coalition pressuring City Council Speaker Christine Quinn on paid sick leave continues to emphasize what could be at stake for her this year among Latino voters. More
(1)An idea for fighting gun crime, from the Bronx
New York State's post-Sandy Hook gun control package did not include an idea proposed by Bronx borough president Ruben Diaz Jr. in his state of the borough speech: an online registry of people who commit gun crimes. This morning, the idea was endorsed by the New York Post, the conservative editorial page whose publisher supports gun control. More
Audio: Cuomo, on a call with Democratic officials, talks Democratic
As I wote about this morning, Governor Andrew Cuomo held a conference call for local elected officials last night. It wasn't open to the press but a source tipped me off about it.
Here's a recording of the conference, which ran just over 24 minutes.
Ruben Diaz Jr. announces he won't run for public advocate
Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. wrote "The needs of the people of the Bronx are foremost on my mind and in my heart. Therefore, I have decided to run for re-election as Bronx Borough President in 2013." More
The return of the Hispanic citywide candidate(s) in New York
In 2009, not a single Hispanic candidate ran for any citywide office. Next year, there could be two, and not just in the Democratic primaries. More
Jeffries and Diaz in City Hall (the restaurant), Bloomberg's ban in Pawnee
Council Speaker Christine Quinn opens her home to the New York Times Sunday Magazine. [Edward Lewine]
"what do the other 2013ers think about the often fawning coverage by @nytimes of @ChriscQuinn?" [@AndyJayHawk] More
Donald Trump gives to certain Democrats, still
Trump is still, somewhat, a real estate developer. In January , he won the rights to operate a golf course located in Vacca’s district, which Diaz supported. More
Andy King, potential Seabrook successor, is ready to run
Andy King, the 1199 SEIU health care advocate who lost a 2009 bid against City Councilman Larry Seabrook will run for the seat again, now that the long-time lawmaker was convicted of nine counts of corruption.
"I will be running again," King told me in a brief telephone interview this afternoon. He lost in 2009, in part because the union he's a member of opted to stay neutral, sparring Seabrook he full brunt of the union's hefty political muscle. King said he doesn't think the conviction will drastically affect his campaign strategy, except to move up the timing. He was already planning to run for the seat in 2013. Now, the election will be held on November 6 -- the date of this year's general election.
"I don't think it affects my campaign," King said. "My commitment to service has always been there."
(2)A former Bronx B.P. for Espaillat, and the current Bronx B.P. for Rangel
Former Bronx borough president and mayoral candidate Fernando Ferrer is endorsing Adriano Espailalt for Congress against 21-term congressman Charles Rangel today, Espaillat's campaign announced. More
At a rally to boost black and Latino representation in Congress, Espaillat cautions against redistricting 'crackers'
A prominent group of New York Democrats argued this weekend that Charlie Rangel's congressional district in Harlem needs to be preserved for an African-American successor while creating a new Latino congressional seat next door. More
(1)In the Bronx, a friendlier business climate
In his state of the borough speech today, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. touted business development projects Kingsbridge and the deal that lured the Queens-based FreshDirect company to the South Bronx as proof that he's stirring economic development and creating jobs in his borough. At one point in his speech, he even asked City Council Speaker Christine Quinn to stand and take a bow for her work on the Living Wage legislation.
The message Diaz was trying to convey was that his borough is open for business and already yielding results. More
(1)Adolfo Carrion opposes 'party dogma' on wage mandates (and Cuomo's convention center)
Adolfo Carrion, the former White House director of urban affairs who spent eight years as Bronx borough president and four years in the City Council, has had a lot of time to think about New York City. The million dollars he has sitting in a campaign account, presumably, will have Democrats around New York eager to listen to him. More
(1)Diaz is fine with changing Rangel's district, but not at the cost of Bronx congressional seats
Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. articulated what may very well be a sticking point in redrawing congressional districts for Rep. Charlie Rangel and others in the New York City delegation.
There's speculation that Rangel's district in upper Manhattan will extend north, all the way to Mount Vernon, in order to regain enough African-American voters to make it more likely that Rangel will get re-elected, and to make it easier, theoretically, for an African-American to succeed him. More
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