Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson celebrates her victory along with her supporters on Major Night time at Sobro Backyard on Bruckner Boulevard.
Emily Swanson
Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson secured the Democratic nomination for a second time period on Tuesday, defeating Council Member Rafael Salamanca Jr. with 68.53% of the vote, in accordance with preliminary outcomes from the Board of Elections.
Gibson, who turned the primary Black lady elected Bronx borough president in 2021, celebrated her victory at Sobro Backyard on Bruckner Boulevard with about 80 supporters.
In a speech to marketing campaign employees and pals, Gibson mentioned she was “very grateful” for her win, which she mentioned was “ordained by God.” She mentioned that “victory is sweet” and emphasised how she all the time works onerous “not just during election time.”
Gibson gained by leaning on her legislative expertise and report of funding within the borough. She beforehand served within the Metropolis Council from 2014 to 2021 representing District 16, and within the State Meeting from 2009 to 2013 representing the 77th District. Throughout the marketing campaign, she highlighted over $50 million in capital funding she mentioned her administration secured for varsity infrastructure enhancements, amongst different achievements.
Regardless of Gibson’s incumbency and broad assist from elected officers, labor unions, and neighborhood teams, Salamanca mounted a aggressive problem garnering 31.02% of the vote. The South Bronx native, who chairs the Metropolis Council’s highly effective Land Use Committee and is term-limited on the finish of this yr, was bolstered by almost $162,000 in impartial expenditures from the Airbnb-affiliated PAC Reasonably priced New York, which funded marketing campaign mailers and digital outreach on his behalf.
Salamanca centered his marketing campaign on requires stronger borough “management,” criticizing Gibson as extra of a cheerleader. He cited considerations over crime and high quality of life, whereas pointing to $400 million in capital investments he mentioned he delivered for the neighborhood the place he grew up and is now elevating his 10-year-old son.
Gibson, in her victory speech, acknowledged her mom who died final yr.
“I absolutely dedicate this to my mother,” she mentioned. She famous that her mom held the bible when she was sworn into workplace every time since 2009.
Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson supporters at her marketing campaign social gathering on Major Night time at Sobro Backyard on Bruckner Boulevard Emily Swanson
