In 2023, New York City’s District 13 — a historically Democratic enclave in the Northeast Bronx — flipped red. Republican Kristy Marmorato narrowly unseated Council Member Marjorie Velázquez, becoming the first GOP councilmember elected in the borough in decades. Now, with the 2025 election approaching, Democrats are mobilizing to reclaim the seat.
District 13 includes neighborhoods like Morris Park, Pelham Bay, Throggs Neck, Van Nest and City Island. The district is 62% Democratic in registration according to the NYC Board of Elections and predominantly Latino, as per the New York City Campaign Finance Board. On paper, it shouldn’t have been competitive. But Marmorato’s win, along with President Donald Trump’s gains in the Bronx in 2024, signaled that party loyalty can no longer be taken for granted in this pocket of the city.
As the 2025 race heats up, District 13 may once again be a political bellwether — not just for the Bronx, but for New York’s changing urban electorate.
The Democratic Field
Six Democratic candidates have emerged in the race to challenge Marmorato in 2025, each with deep roots to the district and a message aimed at building trust. They will be battling it out in the June 24 Democratic primary.
Leading in fundraising is Shirley Aldebol, a Bronx native and vice president at 32BJ SEIU, the nation’s largest property service workers’ union. Her campaign has pulled in roughly $87,000 in public and private funds, ahead of Joel Rivera’s $70,000 and David Diaz’s $53,000.
Aldebol has secured endorsements from the Bronx Democratic Party and several major labor groups, including the New York State Nurses Association and AFSCME Local 37. She says her extensive union experience has prepared her to advocate effectively for Bronx residents and secure resources for the district.
Rivera, a 47-year-old Pelham Gardens resident and longtime member of the Bronx County Democrats, is another top contender. A former Vice Chair of the Bronx party, Rivera has held several public service roles and is currently the executive director of Servicing Our Youth (SOY), a nonprofit focused on civic education, financial literacy, and mentorship. Rivera’s campaign promises include a free shuttle bus system for District 13 residents to move around the district without cars, and to stop up-zoning projects across the district.
Another leading candidate is Diaz, a City Island civic volunteer running a grassroots campaign focused on constituent services and government transparency. He says he aims to protect the character of the East Bronx from unchecked development and displacement. “We like our community… and we don’t want it to change,” he said at a candidate forum hosted by the Bronx Times on May 14.
The remaining candidates, each of whom has gained some traction, include:
John Perez, a retired Army officer and Van Nest resident, who is making his third bid for the seat. His platform includes free transportation for New Yorkers. He is also calling for more transparency when it comes to Bronx development projects, including the Bally’s Casino proposal in Throggs Neck.
Jacqueline Torres, a U.S. Army veteran and Throggs Neck resident, is running with an emphasis on public safety and veterans’ support.
Theona Reets-DuPont, meanwhile, is a 46-year-old Guyanese-born public servant, whose platform includes public safety and lowering property taxes. She has worked as Chief of Staff to Council Member Oswald Feliz and as an Immigration Liaison to U.S. Rep. Adriano Espaillat.
A Painful Lesson for Democrats
Many Democrats argue that Marmorato’s win wasn’t a mandate for her policies, but rather a rebuke of her predecessor.
Velázquez faced backlash from constituents after reversing her position on a controversial rezoning plan that would bring four mixed-use buildings and 349 apartments to the district. Initially opposed, she later supported the project, angering residents and paving the way for Marmorato’s upset victory.
John Doyle of the Chippewa Democratic Club said that Velázquez’s inconsistency and absence in the community further damaged her standing.
“I know people were very, very mad about the way the zoning was handled, and not just the switch of positions, but the incumbent kind of disappeared from the neighborhood for months on end after that,” Doyle said.
Candidate Perez agreed, but also pointed to a broader erosion of public trust in Democrats in positions of power.
“The decline in trust and credibility of the Democratic leadership. The leadership is the problem,” he said.
Rivera agreed. He said the issue in the district is not with Democratic values, but with how they have been enacted by those in charge. He criticized the city’s handling of the migrant crisis and how costly it has been.
“How does it make sense that the city was spending $500 a night for people that were coming on buses to put them in fancy hotels?” he said.
The Marmorato Factor
Marmorato’s victory was powered by a highly local and engaged campaign. She knocked on doors, attended community meetings, and offered tangible support.
Jack McCarrick, president of the Throggs Neck Homeowners Association, said Marmorato has been responsive to neighborhood concerns — from noise complaints near Ferry Point to helping residents obtain subsidized compost bins.
“She’s a person of action, and she seems to be true to her words,” McCarrick said. “She doesn’t waver.”
A Tough Climb Ahead
Democrats know reclaiming District 13 will be an uphill battle. Marmorato holds the advantages of incumbency and momentum, and Bronx Republicans — once considered a non-factor — are growing more visible.
Rochelle Mandina, co-chair of the newly founded Bronx Republican Women’s Club, said the group is thriving.
“So far, our meetings have been very successful,” she said. “We’ve had 50 and 60 people showing up at a meeting, and then some of them join immediately.”
Still, Democratic challengers believe they can reclaim the district by prioritizing community service and reengaging disillusioned voters.
“We have to reach those people who lost faith and bring them back to the table,” Diaz said.
The winner of next month’s primary will face Marmorato in the general election this November.
