Whether in rain or shine, Shirely Aldebol is out talking to voters.
The first-time Democratic candidate is hoping her ground game will be enough to get her a seat in office.
What You Need To Know
The first-time Democratic candidate is hoping her ground game will be enough to get her a seat in office
In February, Shirley Aldebol left her executive position at 32BJ to run for office
Republican Councilwoman Kristy Marmorato flipped the seat two years ago amid a backlash to a new housing project
“I think it’s important for people to be heard and seen because there’s a lot of hopelessness out here,” she said.
In February, Aldebol left her executive position at 32BJ to run for office.
Council District 13 covers parts of the Bronx, such as Pelham Bay, Morris Park, Throggs Neck and City Island.
The district is known for its opposition to development, including affordable and supportive housing.
The district was set to house the formerly incarcerated through the Just Home Project but was blocked at the last minute.
Aldebol said she would be different.
“I don’t think upzoning is a bad thing. I just think that we have to be mindful of the community it’s built in, and we also have to make sure that the housing is really affordable,” she said.
“There’s no easy answer. I don’t always start with a no. Tell us what this is. We need to resolve some issues, and if you don’t do that, you’re really squandering your leverage as a City Council member.”
On the lack of transportation in the area, Aldebol said, “It may require a redesign of transportation because we may have the same bus lines running and there’s been changes in the population of the district. Where are people needing to go.”
Aldebol is not only looking to unseat the incumbent but to flip the district blue. Registered Democrats outnumber Republicans nearly four to one.
“People crossed over party lines to support me in my first election, and I feel confident that they’re going to do it again this time.”
Republican Councilwoman Kristy Marmorato flipped the seat two years ago amid a backlash to a new housing project.
She remains a strong opponent of new projects, including the newly approved Bally’s casino.
“Yes, jobs are a good thing, and construction jobs as well, but there are people who invested in this community who say they never had a say,” Marmorato said.
“Hopefully, Bally’s financial position is on point and where it should be because I’m reading a lot of stuff that it’s not. So I don’t even know that they can get to that position,” she continued.
Bally’s chairman Soo Kim has told NY1 that they are financially sound.
Marmorato is against the housing ballot measures that would diminish local influence over projects.
“It’s going to be the end of the picket-fence neighborhood,” she said.