Joel R. Rivera Announces Candidacy

Bronx county courthouse steps, New York May 27, 2009: with the support of a vociferous group of supporters around him chanting “Si se puede and yes we can”, Joel R. Rivera announced his candidacy for the recently vacated seat in the 77 assembly district. Among the many supporters were; religious, business, community leaders and members of the community-at-large.

Several speakers (bishop Ronald daily, of the love gospel assembly, bishop Timothy Berkett, of church alive, rev. Doctor Luis Carlo, dean of alliance theological seminary, rev. Aida Rosa, Mr. Eduardo Laguerre, president of N.A.I.C.A. A community organization with 36 years in the assembly district, Mr. Aureo Cardona, former district leader in the South Bronx, Carlos Sierra, CUNY student leader and Pedro Alvarez from the 170th street merchants association) expressed their support for Rivera. 

In his remarks Rivera stated “that he is a life long democrat but was denied the Democratic Party support”. He is running under the conservative line and thanked them for their support and wisdom. Rivera also stated “that he is a candidate that believes in unity & equality, strong communities, healthy families, quality schools and investing in the future”. Rivera also said that “for too long many of us in the district have been ignored, our needs have not been met”. Once in Albany he will be the voice of all the people, he said.

Rivera mentioned that he is counting with the support of “faith based leaders-who are the pillars of the community and provide services that are the backbone of our community, the seniors-who have the wisdom and knowledge and require services that cannot be compromised, the parents and PTA’s presidents-who dedicate their time to ensure that our children have a real opportunity to succeed and our emerging communities - Dominicans, Africans, Mexicans and many others who need to be embraced and given the opportunities that our foreparents were given to succeed”.

Rivera concluded by stating “I am a life long democrat, this special election is a contest between the Bronx county organization democrats and the community democrats. There is a simple choice, business as usual or real change”.