Eight Candidates Vie For District Two Council Seat

MURRAY HILL, NY — Yet another candidate has officially announced a bid for District 2's seat in City Council, meaning that eight people will vie for the open spot that will be vacated by Rosie Mendez later this year.

Jorge Vasquez is among the eight candidates running to represent District 2, which includes part of the Lower East Side, the East Village, Gramercy Park and Murray Hill. Vasquez, an attorney who has previously worked with the city's Commission on Human Rights and Legal Services NYC, officially announced his candidacy on Tuesday.

"I am running to amplify the voice of our community, and to preserve the culture and diversity of the district," Vasquez, a Lower East Side native, said in a statement. "I am running because I’ve been passionate about the neighborhood I grew up in for my entire life, and I will use my energy, commitment, and experience to bring about real change for our beloved community."

The slew of candidates include Jimmy McMillan, of the Rent Is Too Damn High fame, and an ambitious NYU student who is campaigning while completing his degree.

Outgoing council member Mendez, who served in the seat for three terms, has endorsed her former staffer Carlina Rivera, a Democrat who's gotten a multiple high-profile endorsements and the most campaign funds of any of the candidates so far. Rivera, who previously served as Mendez's legislative director, has netted more than $93,000 in total campaign contributions, according to the most recent filings. She also has the backing of the city's comptroller Scott Stringer and state senator Brad Hoylman.

Other candidates with sizable coffers are Mary Silver, who has raised nearly $60,000, and Ronnie Cho, an alum of the Obama White House who has raised almost $26,000. (For more new from Gramercy and Murray Hill, subscribe to Patch news alerts here.)

Lead image via Shutterstock.