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BronxNet and City Limits are teaming up to inform voters about the crowded fields and tight races that many will encounter on Primary Day.
Emil Cohen/NYC Council
East Bronx Councilmember Mark Gjonaj has decided not to seek re-election, creating one of several open races in the borough.The mayoral race might be at the top of the ticket, but there’s a set of crowded and competitive races on the undercard in the Bronx in the 2021 Democratic primary.
There are Democratic primary contests in all eight Bronx-only City Council districts, many of which do not feature an established incumbent. And for the first time since a special election in early 2009, the borough presidency is also up for grabs.
BronxNet and longtime political host Gary Axelbank are airing candidate debates in every race during the first days of June. City Limits is proud to be a media partner in BronxNet’s work to inform the electorate.
Here’s a schedule of these important forums:
11th Council District: Monday, June 7 at 9 p.m. (90 minutes)
Five candidates are challenging Eric Dinowitz, who won a March special election to replace Andrew Cohen in the northwest Bronx (Bedford Park, Kingsbridge, Riverdale, Norwood, Van Cortlandt Village, Wakefield, Woodlawn). Read our coverage of this race.
12th Council District: Tuesday, June 8 at 9 p.m. (30 minutes)
Councilmember Kevin Riley, elected in a December special election to replace Andrew King, faces two rivals in this race covering most of the north central Bronx (Wakefield, Olinville, Edenwald, Eastchester, Williamsbridge, Baychester, Co-op City). Read our coverage of this race.
13th Council District: Wednesday, June 9 at 9 p.m. (60 minutes)
Five candidates are racing for this east Bronx seat (Allerton, City Island, Country Club, Edgewater Park, Ferry Point, Locust Point, Morris Park, Pelham Bay, Pelham Gardens, Pelham Parkway, Schuylerville, Silver Beach, Spencer Estates, Throggs Neck, Van Nest, Waterbury LaSalle, Westchester Square, Zerega), which opened when incumbent Mark Gjonaj announced he would not seek reelection. Read our coverage of this race.
14th Council District: Thursday, June 10 at 9 p.m. (60 minutes)
The race for the west Bronx district (Morris Heights, University Heights, Fordham, Kingsbridge) long represented by the term-limited Fernando Cabrera, has six candidates running. Read our coverage of this race.
15th Council District: Friday, June 11 at 9 p.m. (90 minutes)
Oswald Feliz prevailed in a March primary to replace Ritchie Torres when he won a seat in Congress; seven candidates are trying to beat Feliz in the race for a full term representing this central Bronx seat (Bedford Park, Fordham, Mount Hope, Bathgate, Belmont, East Tremont, West Farms, Van Nest, Allerton, Olinville). Read our coverage of this race. There is also a Republican primary in this district.
Borough President: Monday, June 14 at 9 p.m. (60 minutes)
Five candidates—Councilmember Fernando Cabrera, Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez, Councilmember Vanessa Gibson, former police Lt. Samuel Ravelo and State Sen. Luis Sepulveda are vying for the borough-wide post, which Ruben Diaz, Jr. must vacate thanks to term limits. Read our coverage of the 2021 borough president races.
16th Council District: Tuesday, June 15 at 9 p.m. (60 minutes)
Four candidates are in the contest for Vanessa Gibson’s current seat, which represents part of the west Bronx (Claremont, Concourse, Concourse Village, Highbridge, Morris Heights, Mount Eden, Morrisania).
17th Council District: Wednesday, June 16 at 9 p.m. (30 minutes)
Councilmember Rafael Salamanca faces a challenge from Helen Hines in this district covering the south Bronx (Concourse Village, Crotona Park East, East Tremont, Hunts Point, Longwood, Melrose, Morrisania, Port Morris, West Farms, North Brother Island, South Brother Island). Read our coverage of this race.
18th CD: Thursday, June 17 at 9 p.m. (90 minutes)
Ruben Diaz, Sr.’s retirement has opened the door for one of the eight candidates in this southeast Bronx primary (Soundview, Castle Hill, Parkchester, Clason Point, Harding Park). Read our coverage of this race.
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Remember, Primary Day is June 22. Early voting begins June 12. For information on how, where and when to vote check out vote.nyc.
