Rafael Salamanca
Ralph Salamanca | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the New York City Council from the 17th district | |
| Assumed office March 8, 2016 | |
| Preceded by | Maria del Carmen Arroyo |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 2, 1980 New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Jessenia Aponte |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | Monroe College (AA) |
| Website | Official website |
Rafael "Ralph" Salamanca Jr. (born July 2, 1980) is the councilmember for the 17th district of the New York City Council. He is a Democrat. The district includes portions of Concourse Village, East Tremont, Hunts Point, Longwood, Melrose, Morrisania, Port Morris, and West Farms in The Bronx.
Life and career
[edit]Salamanca was born and raised in The Bronx to parents from Puerto Rico.[1] His father worked the docks at the Hunts Point Market while his mother was an administrative worker in healthcare.[2] Salamanca did not finish high school, but did receive his high school diploma equivalency certificate and subsequently earned an associate degree from Monroe College.[3]
A lifelong resident of the South Bronx, Salamanca began his career working as an administrative assistant for a healthcare services provider, and later went on to organize surrounding healthcare issues in both The Bronx and Brooklyn, including in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, with future-New York City Councilmember Antonio Reynoso.[4]
Salamanca was a member of Bronx Community Board 2, where he would advocate for issues in the Hunts Point and Longwood neighborhoods.[5] He eventually became the District Manager for the board, and also served as the President of the 41st Precinct Council.[6] He gained citywide attention for his work as the Community Board Manager for shutting down strip clubs in the community that were havens for criminal activity.[7]
New York City Council
[edit]In 2015, Councilwoman Maria del Carmen Arroyo resigned from her seat on the City Council.[8] Salamanca entered the race for the special election to replace her and won a six-way Democratic primary election, with 39% of the vote. He was sworn into office on March 8, 2016.[9]
Salamanca ran again in November 2016 to finish Arroyo's term, won his first full term in 2017, and was re-elected in 2021. Salamanca explored but ultimately did not pursue a candidacy for Bronx Borough President in 2021.[10]
| Election history | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Location | Year | Election | Results |
| NYC Council District 17 |
2016 | Nonpartisan | √ Rafael Salamanca 39.12% George Alvarez 24.25% Julio Pabon 15.11% J. Loren Russell 10.84% Joann Otero 7.13% Marlon Molina 3.09% |
| NYC Council District 17 |
2017 | Democratic Primary | √ Rafael Salamanca 72.17% Helen Hines 27.36% |
| NYC Council District 17 |
2017 | General | √ Rafael Salamanca (D) 92.26% Patrick Delices (R) 3.47% Oswald Denis (Conservative) 2.26% Elvis Santana (Empower Society) 1.81% |
Shooting
[edit]In September 2021, a stray bullet shattered Salamanca's office window while he was inside with constituents. No one was hurt in the incident.[11]
References
[edit]- ^ "Democrat Rafael Salamanca Announces Special Election Campaign for City Council District 17". 100%Bronx. 2016-01-05. Retrieved 2016-03-24.
- ^ "Rafael Salamanca announces City Council run". Hunts Point Express. 2016-01-05. Retrieved 2016-03-24.
- ^ "Rafael Salamanca wins NYC Council District 17 seat". AP. 2016-02-23. Retrieved 2016-03-24.
- ^ "DOT Proposes Roundabout for Dangerous Longwood Intersection". Streetsblog NYC. 2015-02-17. Retrieved 2016-03-24.
- ^ "Bronx Community Board 2 District Manager to Seek Arroyo's Old Council Seat". DNAinfo. 2016-01-05. Archived from the original on 2016-01-10. Retrieved 2016-03-24.
- ^ "Council candidates face off at public forum". Mott Haven Herald. 2016-01-28. Archived from the original on 2016-01-10. Retrieved 2016-03-24.
- ^ "Strip Clubs Are Being Wiped Out of the South Bronx". Vice. 2015-07-28. Retrieved 2016-03-24.
- ^ "Bronx councilwoman Maria del Carmen Arroyo will resign". Politico. 2015-11-23. Retrieved 2016-03-24.
- ^ "Salamanca Wins Bronx Special Election for City Council Seat". DNAinfo. 2015-02-24. Archived from the original on 2016-03-23. Retrieved 2016-03-24.
- ^ Cohen, Jason (22 January 2021). "Salamanca drops out of BP race – Bronx Times". www.bxtimes.com. Retrieved 2021-10-28.
- ^ "'We simply cannot keep going on like this': Bronx council member responds to in-office shooting". News 12 - The Bronx. September 14, 2021. Retrieved 2021-10-28.
External links
[edit]- "District 17 - Council member". NYC.gov.
- 1980 births
- 21st-century American politicians
- Hispanic and Latino American New York City Council members
- Living people
- Monroe College alumni
- New York (state) Democrats
- New York City Council members
- Politicians from the Bronx
- Puerto Rican people in New York (state) politics
- American politicians of Puerto Rican descent