Preceded by Joel Rivera Role Legislator Name Ritchie Torres | Website Official website Political party Democratic Party Democratic Party | |
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Born March 12, 1988 (age 36)
New York City, New York ( 1988-03-12 ) | ||
Reaching out city council member ritchie torres
Ritchie Torres (born March 12, 1988) is the Council member for the 15th District of the New York City Council. He is a Democrat. The district includes Allerton, Belmont, Bronx Park, Claremont Village, Crotona Park, Fordham, Mount Eden, Mount Hope, Norwood, Parkchester, Tremont, Van Nest, West Farms and Williamsbridge in The Bronx.
Contents
- Reaching out city council member ritchie torres
- 2015 06 02nd 9th video zully rolan bronx council member ritchie torres
- Life and career
- New York City Council
- References
Torres is the first openly gay candidate to be elected to legislative office in The Bronx, and the youngest member of the city council. Currently, he serves as the chair of the Committee on Public Housing, and is a deputy Majority Leader.
2015 06 02nd 9th video zully rolan bronx council member ritchie torres
Life and career
Torres was raised by his mother in a public housing project in the Throggs Neck neighborhood of the East Bronx, where he was frequently hospitalized for asthma as a result of the mold growing in his apartment. He attended Herbert H. Lehman High School, served in the inaugural class of the Coro New York Exploring Leadership Program, and later worked as an intern in the offices of the Mayor and Attorney General.
Torres enrolled at New York University but dropped out at the beginning of his sophomore year, suffering from severe depression. As he recovered, Torres resumed working for council member James Vacca, eventually becoming Vacca's housing director. In that role, Torres conducted site inspections and document conditions, ensuring critical housing issues were promptly and adequately addressed.
New York City Council
When he won the Democratic Party nomination for New York City Council, Torres became the first openly gay political candidate in The Bronx to win the Democratic Party nomination, and is the first openly gay public official in The Bronx.
Upon his election, Torres requested the chairmanship of the Council's Committee on Public Housing, tasked with overseeing the New York City Housing Authority. Torres also serves as a Deputy Leader of the City Council, making him the only freshman Council Member to hold a leadership position.
Torres has stated that he is "intent on advancing politically," and has been floated as a future candidate for Mayor.