SOUTH BRONX — A longtime South Bronx congressman will face off against a Democratic challenger running a shoestring campaign in New York's June 28 primary, one of many races set to take place across the city.
Bronx voters in District 15, which covers neighborhoods including Mott Haven, Hunts Point, Morrisania and Belmont, will choose between incumbent Rep. Jose Serrano, who has served in Congress for more than two decades, and Democratic challenger Leonel Baez.
Serrano currently serves on the House Appropriations Committee and is a member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, according to his website.
He has focused on issues including immigration reform, civil liberties and ending the Cuba embargo during his time in Congress, his website says.
"I've always fought for good jobs, affordable housing and more money for our schools and parks, and now I'm working hard to pass comprehensive immigration reform and to get the guns off our streets," Serrano said in a statement. "I hope everyone takes the time to vote tomorrow, and I look forward to returning to Congress to keep fighting for the issues that matter most to South Bronx families."
Baez is a community activist and entrepreneur and said he was taking on Serrano because it was time for the district to start seeing some concrete improvements that a new face in Congress would help bring.
"I was raised in the 15th congressional district, and I haven’t really seen any real changes since when I was a kid until now," he said. "The poverty rate is still extremely high. We still have issues with health."
He would fight for a $15 federal minimum wage, free public colleges, and criminal justice reform in Congress.
This is Baez's first political campaign, and he acknowledged that it was very difficult running against a longtime incumbent like Serrano.
"We are running this campaign on a shoestring budget, and when you challenge someone as iconic as Congressman Serrano, it’s very difficult to get donations," he said. "It’s very difficult to get people motivated, and in reality it’s been a one-man operation."
However, Baez said he still felt good about tomorrow's election.
"I do believe I have a very strong chance now," he said.
