Bronx District 13's First Republican in Decades Faces Test as Red Wave Hits
As New York City prepares for a red wave in local elections, Bronx Councilman Kristy Marmorato is facing off against Democrat Shirley Aldebol in the Northeast Bronx. If she wins re-election, it will mark a significant shift for the district, which has long been considered safe Democratic territory.
Marmorato's breakthrough election two years ago was seen as a result of her opponent's decision to back the Bruckner Boulevard rezoning project, which would bring 350 new apartments and 99 affordable units to the area. Critics argue that this move betrayed local residents who had opposed the proposal.
Now, Marmoroto is facing scrutiny over her own approach to governance, particularly on contentious issues like Medicaid cuts and immigration enforcement. Her opponent, Aldebol, has criticized Marmorato for failing to negotiate with Democratic colleagues, arguing that this lack of leverage led the Council to override her decisions multiple times.
Marmorato, however, says she did reach across the aisle, pointing to her role in securing $280 million for the district through Metro-North service expansion. She has also backed Trump's hardline stance on immigration and Medicaid cuts.
The election is seen as a test of whether Marmoroto's rightward shift reflects a genuine shift in the district or just a backlash against the Democratic Party's perceived weakness. Critics argue that the party has moved too far to the left, leaving moderate voters feeling alienated.
Supporters like Robert Jaen, a former Democrat who now backs Trump and Marmoroto, say they're tired of party politics and want a candidate who can get things done. Jaen credits Marmorato with being a fighter who isn't afraid to take on the status quo.
The contest has drawn significant outside spending from labor unions, which have poured $680,000 into Aldebol's campaign. Aldebol argues that she would be a better negotiator for the district's interests, citing her experience as an executive vice president of 32BJ.
Ultimately, the election will determine whether Marmoroto's Republican win was a fleeting moment or a sign of a deeper shift in the Bronx's politics. One thing is certain: this contest marks a significant turning point for the Northeast Bronx and its residents.
As New York City prepares for a red wave in local elections, Bronx Councilman Kristy Marmorato is facing off against Democrat Shirley Aldebol in the Northeast Bronx. If she wins re-election, it will mark a significant shift for the district, which has long been considered safe Democratic territory.
Marmorato's breakthrough election two years ago was seen as a result of her opponent's decision to back the Bruckner Boulevard rezoning project, which would bring 350 new apartments and 99 affordable units to the area. Critics argue that this move betrayed local residents who had opposed the proposal.
Now, Marmoroto is facing scrutiny over her own approach to governance, particularly on contentious issues like Medicaid cuts and immigration enforcement. Her opponent, Aldebol, has criticized Marmorato for failing to negotiate with Democratic colleagues, arguing that this lack of leverage led the Council to override her decisions multiple times.
Marmorato, however, says she did reach across the aisle, pointing to her role in securing $280 million for the district through Metro-North service expansion. She has also backed Trump's hardline stance on immigration and Medicaid cuts.
The election is seen as a test of whether Marmoroto's rightward shift reflects a genuine shift in the district or just a backlash against the Democratic Party's perceived weakness. Critics argue that the party has moved too far to the left, leaving moderate voters feeling alienated.
Supporters like Robert Jaen, a former Democrat who now backs Trump and Marmoroto, say they're tired of party politics and want a candidate who can get things done. Jaen credits Marmorato with being a fighter who isn't afraid to take on the status quo.
The contest has drawn significant outside spending from labor unions, which have poured $680,000 into Aldebol's campaign. Aldebol argues that she would be a better negotiator for the district's interests, citing her experience as an executive vice president of 32BJ.
Ultimately, the election will determine whether Marmoroto's Republican win was a fleeting moment or a sign of a deeper shift in the Bronx's politics. One thing is certain: this contest marks a significant turning point for the Northeast Bronx and its residents.
she just cant compete w/ all that $$ from labor unions 
but at the end of the day whoever wins i hope its gonna make a diff in bronx cuz thats a crazy fam 
but at the same time, when you've got a system that's so polarized, it feels like parties are more about winning than serving, you know?
her stance on medicaid cuts and immigration enforcement has me thinking she might not actually care about the people who elected her...and what's up with labor unions pouring a ton of cash into shirley aldebol's campaign? shouldn't they be supporting candidates who align with their values instead of trying to buy votes? 
anyway, this election is gonna be interesting and i hope whoever wins will actually listen to the people they're supposed to represent 
. I'm not sure what the future holds, but one thing's for sure – this election is gonna be a wild ride 
!
, sounds like Kristy Marmorato's whole "breakthrough" thing might've been a fluke 
. People are really upset with her now because of Medicaid cuts & immigration enforcement... like, what was she thinking? 
Anyway, if the labor unions' outside spending pays off, it'll be super bad for Republicans in NY City 
.
kristy mammorato is like literally trying to hold on to her seat amidst all this red wave hype 
she was supposed 2 b a safe democratic rep but now shes facing scrutiny over her gov approach & stance on medicaid cuts & immigration enfrncmnt. critics say shes moved too far right w/ trump's stance, lol what's good? 
like robert jaen says she's a rep who gets things done, even if its not democratic party agenda 
[A picture of a chessboard with a pawn being promoted to a queen]
. That kinda stuff can't be ignored. And let's be real, critics are right to say the party has moved too far left – if you're moderate and want change, why stick with a party that seems more interested in identity politics than actual governance? 
.