SOUTH BRONX — The special election to replace Maria del Carmen Arroyo on the City Council will take place on Feb. 23, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on Monday.
Arroyo made a surprise announcement in November that she would resign from her seat on the council representing the city's 17th District, citing "pressing family needs," and her resignation took effect on Dec. 31.
The candidate who wins on Feb. 23 will serve in the council until at least the end of the year.
Another election for the 17th Council District will then take place in November, and the winner of that race will hold Arroyo's seat until the end of her term, which would have been up in 2017.
A bevy of candidates have already expressed interest in replacing Arroyo. So far, the list includes:
► Joann Otero, Arroyo's chief of staff
► Julio Pabón, a South Bronx activist and businessman
► Amanda Septimo, a staffer for Rep. Jose Serrano
► Rev. J. Loren Russell, a Bronx preacher and businessman
► Anthony Sanchez, Director of Business Development at the Human Resources Administration
► Helen Foreman-Hines, political project director at the union 1199 SEIU
The district covers South Bronx neighborhoods including Hunts Point, Longwood and Melrose, and several candidates have said they would focus on issues like gentrification and education if elected.
Residents of District 17 who are seeking constituent services while the seat remains vacant can contact the district office at 718-402-6130 or at M17@council.nyc.gov.
