The political arm representing the Hispanic Congressional Democrats has endorsed Councilman Ritchie Torres to succeed retiring Bronx Rep. Jose Serrano in Congress.
The Democratic group on Monday chose Torres over two chief rivals — former Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito and Councilman Ruben Diaz Sr. — for the Democratic primary in the heavily Latino 15th congressional district covering the south Bronx.
“A proud son of the Bronx, Torres has proven to be an effective leader and @BOLD Dems has no doubt that he will continue to be a champion for justice and the dignity of the people of New York,” BOLD Dems, the PAC for the Hispanic Congressional Caucus, said in a statement.
“From improving housing conditions for thousands of families in NYC, to fighting relentlessly for the city’s taxi drivers who have been cheated by a predatory medallion system @Ritchie Torres has been a fierce advocate for his community. He will take the fight to Washington,” the group added on Twitter.
Sources said the Hispanic Caucus decided to take sides in the race to block Diaz Sr., the Pentecostal minister and former state senator who opposes abortion and voted against New York’s gay marriage law, from getting elected. Diaz Sr. has a devoted following among faith-based voters in the district.
“This important endorsement is the latest proof that I have the best hope to defeat Ruben Diaz Sr., who is a Trump Republican masquerading as a Democrat,” Torres said.
Torres’ campaign committee has already raised $878,000 and has $722,436 on hand, dwarfing the war chests of all other candidates.