Date Set For Bronx Showdown

September 15, 2008

Bronx Democratic County Committee members received the following notice from chairman Jose Rivera over the weekend:

Dear County Committee Member:

Pursuant to Section 2-112 of the New York State Election Law and Section 2-6.4(i) of the Rules of the Bronx County Democratic Party, you are hereby notified that a meeting of the COUNTY COMMITTEE OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF BRONX COUNTY elected at the Primary Election on September 9, 2008, will be held at the Utopia Paradise Theatre, 2403 Grand Concourse, Bronx, N.Y., on Sunday, September 28, 2008 at 6:30 P.M., as and for its organizational meeting pursuant to said Election Law and Rule 2-6.1 of said Rules for the election of officers, adoption of the Rules and Regulations of the Party, and such other business as may properly be considered by the County Committee for the 2008-2010 term.

Kindly bring personal identification to this meeting. It is also vitally important that you bring this notice to the meeting.

Hon. JOSE RIVERA,
Chairman, Executive Committee

Both sides insist they have enough votes to either keep Rivera as leader (in the case of his supporters) or oust him (in the case of the so-called Rainbow Rebels).

A pro-Rivera source provided a DL breakdown to Azi that shows Rivera to be quite safe, but a lot could change between now and Sept. 28.

There was a lot of head counting going on over the weekend, with speculation over who the rebels will put up as an alternative to Rivera. (Former City Clerk Hector Diaz's name was bandied about, as he and Rivera have had a falling out, along with the longtime rebel leader, Assemblyman Carl Heastie).

A source close to Sen. Efrain Gonzalez said his supporters - although not the senator himself, who is reportedly not bitter about his loss - are upset enough with the party's [perceived lack of assistance in protecting him against Pedro Espada that they will urge Rivera's defeat.

That might be moot, however, since Gonzalez doesn't control any DLs, and at this point, it's all an inside numbers game.

The meltdown in the Bronx is being watched very carefully by Democrats all over the city - particularly those who have 2009 aspirations and have been courting Rivera for over a year.

Another person who stands to be impacted by this leadership fight: Rep. Joe Crowley, the Queens Democratic chairman, whose district includes a big chunk of the Bronx. Crowley's relationship with Rivera has protected him from a potential primary by an Hispanic candidate.

Assemblyman Ruben Diaz Jr. weighed a run against the Queens congressman several years back and ultimately decided against it. Diaz Jr. and his father, Sen. Ruben Diaz Sr. are allied with the rebels, so their rise could have a big effect on Crowley, who needs to make it past another re-election bid before the next round of redistricting.

By Elizabeth Benjamin on September 15, 2008 9:58 AM