Throughout 2024, the Bronx had its fair share of political action that at times drew national headlines. In the November presidential election, the borough increased its support for President-elect Donald Trump in a historic move to the right that shook the country and upended traditional assumptions about how communities of color vote in America.
May 23 Trump rally in Crotona Park
Thousands of supporters from local areas and across the country attended Trump’s first-ever campaign event in the Bronx on May 23, while a smaller group set up across the street to protest his presence in the borough.
During the Crotona Park event, Trump said he was best-equipped to fight for New York City and communities of color—such as in the Bronx. He also took aim at journalists, whom he has repeatedly accused of unfair coverage, and at President Biden, whom he called “the worst president in the history of our country.”
Meanwhile, across the street, elected officials, union representatives and other locals organized around the theme of “Trump isn’t welcome in the Bronx.” Bronx Assembly Member Amanda Septimo, whose office helped organize the anti-Trump rally, told the Bronx Times before the event that the president-elect has used the Bronx “as a tool” and “exploit[ed] our painful history.”
Trump barbershop visit in Castle Hill
Just ahead of the election, Trump made a surprise visit to Knockout Barbershop in Castle Hill on Oct. 17 in which he chatted with a group of men in a private event.
After the visit, the Bronx Times stopped by the barbershop to see how the visit went and how things changed at the longstanding family-owned business that was suddenly flooded with local and national press requests. The owner, Javiel Rodriguez Jr., and others said they appreciated the conversation with Trump and found him relatable and understanding of their concerns about the economy, education and more.
Presidential election “red wave”
Although Trump did not win the state of New York, his support grew in nearly every neighborhood of the city between 2020 and 2024. In the Bronx, Trump earned 27% of the vote, and his nationwide victory prompted local conservatives to seize momentum. The Bronx Conservative Party, which puts up its own local candidates distinct from the Republican party while overlapping on many issues, has been actively recruiting to its small-but-growing numbers and working to diversify their base with more women and people of color.
Torres and AOC reelected
Despite the so-called “red wave,” Democratic incumbents in the Bronx, including Rep. Ritchie Torres and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, easily won reelection in their respective districts.
Torres has recently teased a run for governor, openly criticizing Gov. Kathy Hochul and lumping her in with an old-style Democratic party that lost to Donald Trump.
Ocasio-Cortez faced a primary challenger for the first time since 2020 in Marty Dolan, who ran as a centrist Democrat. But she easily defeated him in the primary and general elections, garnering over 80% of the vote in November.
George Latimer wins NY-16 Congressional primary
In what proved to be a sign of things to come, moderate Democrat George Latimer defeated incumbent U.S. Rep. Jamaal Bowman, a member of the liberal-leaning House “Squad,” of which fellow Bronx native Rep. Ocasio-Cortez is a member, in the June 16th primary. Latimer went on to win election to the seat in the November general election.
The race between Latimer, the former Westchester County Executive who is white, and Bowman, who is Black, garnered national attention as certain “Squad” members were thought to be in danger of losing their seats amid a center- or right-leaning political shift. Bowman and Rep. Cori Bush of Missouri both lost, and in the end, though Republicans also lost seats, the GOP still held onto a slim majority in the House.
Following his June primary victory, Latimer spoke with the Bronx Times about his win and how he plans to represent the tiny sliver of the Bronx that his district includes. While most of his district is in wealthier Westchester County, Latimer said he comes from a blue-collar background and understands the need to work for every corner of his district.
Assembly Member resignations
The Bronx saw two surprise resignations in the State Assembly, from Latoya Joyner, who left in the first week of the legislative session for a job in the private sector, and Kenny Burgos, who quit in July and is now CEO of the New York Apartment Association.
The special election to replace Joyner brought attorney Landon Dais to political office for the first time. Burgos was replaced by Emerita Torres, a former U.S. diplomat with extensive policy experience.
Salamanca for Borough President
City Council Member Rafael Salamanca Jr., whose term limit ends next year, announced his campaign for Bronx Borough President in September in a long-anticipated move. Salamanca Jr., a Longwood native who chairs the council’s powerful Committee on Land Use, said he can help the borough’s housing shortage in part by tackling what he sees as NIMBYism (the attitude of “not in my backyard”) on the part of some Bronx officials. Though the Borough President does not create legislation or have binding voting power, the influence of the position can be significant.
