Bronx Borough President race enters final stretch as candidates present competing visions

The race for Bronx Borough President is heating up between incumbent Vanessa Gibson and her challenger, Rafael Salamanca Jr., who represents his native South Bronx neighborhood in the City Council.

With the Democratic primary election less than a month away, both candidates participated in a forum on May 16, where they outlined several similar priorities but potentially differing styles of leadership.

Gibson, seeking a second term, highlighted her experience and accomplishments over the past three years, including reducing unemployment and securing $50 million in capital funding for public school upgrades. She also said she has brought the community together.

As borough president, “You are a coalition builder. You are a bridge builder. You are a public servant,” Gibson said during the forum. “You represent a diverse borough like the Bronx and you have to assemble all of your staff, your community boards, your advisory boards… and reflect that diversity, which is our strength.”

Salamanca, who has served in the Council since 2016 and is now term-limited, argued that the borough needs stronger leadership.

“Our borough is being mismanaged,” he said at the forum, citing his eight-year Council record and the funding he’s delivered for his district. “I’ve brought in over $400 million in capital investments—$35 million to my schools and $30 million to parks.”

He added that he has helped bring 10,000 units of fully affordable housing to his district, but argued that many problems across the borough persist. “Our streets are still dirty, and our families don’t feel safe.”

In a follow-up interview with the Bronx Times, Salamanca emphasized that Bronxites need better management within Borough Hall. He said he would analyze the existing staffing budget and hire several deputies, each with their own portfolio, to better reach all corners of the Bronx.

Salamanca said he’s convinced Bronxites are unhappy with the status quo and they want someone who can tackle the borough’s most persistent issues, such as gun violence and the opioid crisis. “They want a manager,” he said.

Gibson said that Salamanca’s staffing vision is unrealistic, as Borough Hall staffing numbers have been slashed over the years from over 100 down to 65, and she emphasized the need for continuity in Bronx leadership.

“I don’t need on-the-job training,” she said.

Responsible development

Despite their style differences, the two candidates share several overlapping priorities, especially investing in schools and housing.

Both speak of the need for responsible development. Gibson describes herself as “pro-development” but says every project must promise local hiring, community benefits and opportunities for women- and minority-owned contract work.

Salamanca’s district has led the way in affordable housing production over recent years, and he said his proudest accomplishments have involved rebuilding the neighborhood where he was raised.

Where the South Bronx had abandoned parking lots and overheated, dilapidated schools in the 80s and 90s, he said he has approved housing for seniors and invested in school facilities and amenities, including his former elementary playground, he said.

His 10-year-old son has seen the results, said Salamanca. “To tell these stories to my son, I’m extremely humbled and excited about it.”

Campaigning in the final stretch

Gibson made history in 2021 as the first Black woman elected to hold Bronx Borough Presidency, and Salamanca, who is of Puerto Rican descent and bilingual, matches another key Bronx demographic.

Gibson served in the State Assembly and City Council before becoming BP, whereas Salamanca is a former health care administrator and was district manager of Community Board 2 for six years before his election to City Council.

City records show that in terms of fundraising, Salamanca leads and has more money at his campaign’s disposal. Gibson, on the other hand, holds the advantage of major endorsements.

Salamanca is backed by the Airbnb-affiliated PAC Affordable New York, which has spent over $50,000 on print ads, email blasts and internet banners on his behalf. The PAC is backing seven Council candidates (four of whom are from the Bronx) in addition to Salamanca’s BP bid.

Campaign finance records show that Salamanca has received over $941,000 in public and private funds and has an estimated $762,724 in his coffers.

Gibson has received over $793,000 in public and private funds and has an estimated $467,721 for her campaign. However, she has a clear advantage in endorsements.

She received the backing of prominent labor unions, including DC37 AFSCME (municipal employees), 1199 SEIU (healthcare workers) and 32BJ SEIU (property service workers). Gibson was also endorsed by Planned Parenthood, which she said reflected her advocacy for Black maternal health.

Several prominent elected officials have coalesced around Gibson, including New York State Attorney General Letitia James, Congress Members Adriano Espaillat and Ritchie Torres and, notably, five of Salamanca’s Bronx City Council colleagues (Eric Dinowitz, Oswald Feliz, Kevin Riley, Pierina Sanchez and Althea Stevens).

Salamanca has published just a few endorsements thus far, including from the Riverdale-based Unity Democratic Club and the NYC Immigration Coalition, and he said more from elected officials are rolling out soon.

As the campaigns head into the final few weeks before the primary, both candidates said they’re busy hitting the streets and hosting events.

Gibson encouraged Bronxites to consider her as “leadership that is steady, that has never stopped fighting for the Bronx.”

Despite the inherent advantage to the incumbent, “I feel very positive, and I feel the energy,” Salamanca said. “There needs to be change in this borough.”

Reach Emily Swanson at eswanson@schnepsmedia.com or (646) 717-0015. For more coverage, follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @bronxtimes