Democracy or Communism in the Bronx?

By Robert Press. 100 PERCENT

In 2008 there was a meeting between the then Bronx Democratic County Leader, and a certain Bronx Assemblyman and his father. The meeting was about an upcoming judicial race where the county leader already had a candidate. The Assemblyman and his father had a different person which they wanted as the candidate. After a heated discussion the county leader did not budge on his candidate leading to a contentious primary battle.

As for the judicial race the candidate of the Democratic County Leader lost, and it was the candidate of the Assemblyman and his father who won. This heated primary also led to a revolution against that Democratic County Leader from all corners of the borough. At the next County Committee meeting known as ‘The Night the Lights Went Out at the Paradise’ a new county leader was elected.

There were promises of an open style of leadership where decisions would not be made just by the county leader, but of the membership. That was fine until that county leader moved on to a higher position, and a new Democratic County Leader was chosen. This new county leader was very young and inexperienced. Decisions were now being made by a select few. The Bronx District Attorney was up for re-election, and at the same time thinking of becoming a Judge. A spokesperson for a Bronx assemblyman announced that said Bronx Assemblyman was going to run for Bronx DA if the seat was open. It was decided that the DA would announce that he was running for re-election so there would be no primary challenge. The DA then was nominated at the Judicial Conversation for a judgeship. Being after the petition period with no candidate for Bronx DA the Executive Committee of the Democratic County organization then met to select the Democratic candidate who won the election for Bronx DA easily.

In the 32nd State Senate District there will be a special election to fill the vacancy left by the election of Ruben Diaz Sr. to the City Council. Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda was nominated as the Democratic candidate by the county committee, and should win the April 24th special election. This now leaves the Parkchester Assembly vacant, and while there will be no special election I spoke to the current Bronx Democratic County Leader Assemblyman Marcos Crespo about the soon to be vacant assembly seat. I asked if individuals would be interviewed, and Democratic County Leader Crespo told me that he already has a candidate for the assembly seat. I asked how you can already pick a candidate before the assembly seat is even vacant. Crespo answered we already chose a candidate. I asked what happens if Sepulveda does not win the special election for the 32nd State Senate seat? Crespo answered, “Well then I guess we won’t have a candidate then”.

It looks like Communism has returned to the Bronx Democratic County organization. Is it time for another revolution in the Bronx Democratic Party, one which would come at a time the current term-limited Bronx Borough President wants to run for mayor in 2021.