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BronxNet will air debates between Democratic candidates in the newly redrawn District 33, where incumbent Gustavo Rivera is facing party-backed attorney Miguelina Camilo, and in District 34, where Christian Amato and John Perez are up against Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez for the East Bronx seat left open by Alessandra Biaggi.
Left: NYS Senate/Flickr; Right: David Brand/City Limits
Left: State Sen. Gustavo Rivera is running for re-election in the redrawn 33rd District. Left: Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez is one of three Democrats running for an open seat in District 34.
Editor’s Note: This story was updated 8/9/22 to include video of the 34th District debate, which aired Monday.
Early voting will kick off Saturday, leading up to Election Day on Aug. 23—the second of this summer’s two New York primaries, following the first in June. Voters this month will cast ballots in races for State Senate and U.S. House of Representatives, with the general election for all contests (including State Assembly) to take place in November.
BronxTalk will air two debates this week and next between candidates running for competitive State Senate seats in The Bronx: District 33 in the borough’s northwest and District 34 in the east. Longtime BronxTalk host Gary Axelbank will moderate.
The debate for State Senate District 34 will premiere Monday, Aug. 8 at 9 p.m. on Optimum 67 / Fios 2133 or online at bronxnet.tv, with repeat broadcasts throughout the week (full schedule here).
The boundaries of the district were redrawn earlier this spring as part of the redistricting process, and now stretch along only the eastern half of The Bronx, including Throggs Neck, Pelham Bay and Castle Hill. Current incumbent Alessandra Biaggi is running for Congress, leaving an open seat behind that three Democratic candidates are looking to fill.
They include Nathalia Fernandez, who has served in the State Assembly since winning a special election in 2018 (Fernandez was formerly chief of staff to Mark Gjonaj, who held that same Assembly seat before her). She’s earned Biaggi’s endorsement and has the backing of the Bronx Democratic Party, as well as several unions.
She’s up against John Perez, a retired U.S. Army veteran who ran for City Council last year, and Christian Amato, a Democratic strategist and Community Board 11 member.
Watch: 34th District State Senate Debate on BronxTalk
The debate for District 33 will air Monday, Aug. 15 at 9 p.m., with repeat airings to follow. Incumbent State Sen. Gustavo Rivera—whose home was drawn out of the 33rd District as a result of redistricting—is running against Miguelina M. Camilo, an attorney endorsed by a number of fellow Bronx electeds. The new District 33 now includes Riverdale, as well as Fordham, Bedford Park and Norwood.
City Limits will post video of the debates after they air. Access BronxNet’s full schedule and livestreams here.