August 24, 2020
City & State New York
For years, Ru ben Diaz Jr. was seen as the best shot to bec ome the first Latino mayor of New York City. Delgado hopes to repeat his victory in November by focusing on quality-oflife issues like the removal of PFAS contaminants in drinking water and greater broadband access to Otsego and Delaware Counties, which he represents.
Julia Salazar has had little trouble getting items on her legislative wish list addressed and even enacted, including an aggressive revamp on state rent laws. The Democratic Socialist representing Brooklyn may have notched a few victories, but she’ll be the first to tell you the work isn’t over on hot-button issues like tenant protection measures.
22 CARLOS MENCHACA
20 GUSTAVO RIVERA
State Senator You won’t find a stronger advocate for single-payer health care than state Sen. Gustavo Rivera – and he’s got the pulpit to amplify the fight. As chair of the state Senate health committee and main sponsor of the New York Health Act introduced in 2017, the staunch Democrat has prioritized overhauling the system. With COVID-19 wreaking havoc across the nation, Rivera has found his strongest argument yet for such an overhaul.
21 JULIA SALAZAR
State Senator She may be a freshman legislator, but state Sen.
New York City Council Member Carlos Menchaca, the first Mexican-American elected to the New York City Council, has focused on immigration
during his six years in office, authoring the IDNYC program and introducing bills limiting immigration agents from infiltrating the courts as well as a resolution mandating that they identify themselves. Yet lately the biggest headlines have come from his controversial decision to side with local activists in blocking the Industry City rezoning.
23 LORRAINE CORTÉS-VÁZQUEZ
Commissioner New York City Department for the Aging With more older denizens calling New York City home, it’s clear Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez’s role as commissioner for the New York City Department for the Aging – which seeks to make the five boroughs more age friendly – will be even more relevant in the years ahead. Another sign of her growing importance: Mayor Bill de Blasio appointed her to the MTA board this year, pending Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s approval.
Nicole Malliotakis is one of NYC’s few elected Republicans.
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24 NICOLE MALLIOTAKIS
Assembly Member The New York Times called Assembly Member Nicole Malliotakis a lawmaker with “guts” during her 2017 Republican New York City mayoral run, a campaign in which she highlighted her Cuban heritage. The only GOP woman representing a portion of the five boroughs – sections of Staten Island and Brooklyn – is now challenging Rep. Max Rose, and has proven to be relentless, attacking her rival like a prizefighter.
25 RUBEN DIAZ JR.
Bronx Borough President For years, Ruben Diaz Jr. was seen as the best shot to become the first Latino mayor of New York City, thanks to his political talents, his experience in elected office and such influential allies as Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie. But earlier this year, the Bronx borough president surprised New York’s political world with his decision to drop out of the 2021 race.
26 JAVIER H. VALDÉS
Co-executive Director Make the Road New York Whether it’s blasting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for its aggressive