By Ed Weintrob, The Jewish Star
Rep. Ritchie Torres, one of Israel’s most reliable Democratic friends on Capitol Hill, easily defeated two antizionist opponents in his Bronx district.
Torres was always favored in the heavily Jewish Riverdale neighborhood, but he also polled well in Black and Latino parts of the expansive 15th District.
While Israel may have been top-of-mind to Riverdale voters, those in other parts of the district responded favorably to Torres’ message of community service.
With 96% of the vote counted, here’s the tally: Torres 23,306 (71.96%), Michael Blake 7,062 (21.81%), Jose Vega 1,802 (5.56%).
“Tonight, the people of the Bronx have spoken,” Torres told his victory celebration at Michaelangelo’s Restaurant of Arthur Avenue.
“The people of the Bronx have chosen love over hate. Hope over fear, and unity over division.”
“It is the honor of my life to represent every member of the Bronx family from every corner of our borough,” he said.