Ralph Salamanca
Member of the New York City Council
from the 17th district
Assumed office
March 8, 2016
Preceded byMaria del Carmen Arroyo
Personal details
Born (1980-07-02) July 2, 1980
New York City, New York, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseJessenia Aponte
Children2
EducationMonroe College (AA)
WebsiteOfficial website

Rafael "Ralph" Salamanca Jr. (born July 2, 1980) is the councilmember for the 17th district of the New York City Council. He is a Democrat. The district includes portions of Concourse Village, East Tremont, Hunts Point, Longwood, Melrose, Morrisania, Port Morris, and West Farms in The Bronx.

Life and career

Salamanca was born and raised in The Bronx to parents from Puerto Rico.[1] His father worked the docks at the Hunts Point Market while his mother was an administrative worker in healthcare.[2] Salamanca did not finish high school, but did receive his high school diploma equivalency certificate and subsequently earned an associate degree from Monroe College.[3]

A lifelong resident of the South Bronx, Salamanca began his career working as an administrative assistant for a healthcare services provider, and later went on to organize surrounding healthcare issues in both The Bronx and Brooklyn, including in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, with future-New York City Councilmember Antonio Reynoso.[4]

Salamanca was a member of Bronx Community Board 2, where he would advocate for issues in the Hunts Point and Longwood neighborhoods.[5] He eventually became the District Manager for the board, and also served as the President of the 41st Precinct Council.[6] He gained citywide attention for his work as the Community Board Manager for shutting down strip clubs in the community that were havens for criminal activity.[7]

New York City Council

In 2015, Councilwoman Maria del Carmen Arroyo resigned from her seat on the City Council.[8] Salamanca entered the race for the special election to replace her and won a six-way Democratic primary election, with 39% of the vote. He was sworn into office on March 8, 2016.[9]

Salamanca ran again in November 2016 to finish Arroyo's term, won his first full term in 2017, and was re-elected in 2021. Salamanca explored but ultimately did not pursue a candidacy for Bronx Borough President in 2021.[10]

Election history
Location Year Election Results
NYC Council
District 17		 2016 Nonpartisan √ Rafael Salamanca 39.12%
George Alvarez 24.25%
Julio Pabon 15.11%
J. Loren Russell 10.84%
Joann Otero 7.13%
Marlon Molina 3.09%
NYC Council
District 17		 2017 Democratic Primary √ Rafael Salamanca 72.17%
Helen Hines 27.36%
NYC Council
District 17		 2017 General √ Rafael Salamanca (D) 92.26%
Patrick Delices (R) 3.47%
Oswald Denis (Conservative) 2.26%
Elvis Santana (Empower Society) 1.81%

Shooting

In September 2021, a stray bullet shattered Salamanca's office window while he was inside with constituents. No one was hurt in the incident.[11]

References

  1. ↑ "Democrat Rafael Salamanca Announces Special Election Campaign for City Council District 17". 100%Bronx. 2016-01-05. Retrieved 2016-03-24.
  2. ↑ "Rafael Salamanca announces City Council run". Hunts Point Express. 2016-01-05. Retrieved 2016-03-24.
  3. ↑ "Rafael Salamanca wins NYC Council District 17 seat". AP. 2016-02-23. Retrieved 2016-03-24.
  4. ↑ "DOT Proposes Roundabout for Dangerous Longwood Intersection". Streetsblog NYC. 2015-02-17. Retrieved 2016-03-24.
  5. ↑ "Bronx Community Board 2 District Manager to Seek Arroyo's Old Council Seat". DNAinfo. 2016-01-05. Archived from the original on 2016-01-10. Retrieved 2016-03-24.
  6. ↑ "Council candidates face off at public forum". Mott Haven Herald. 2016-01-28. Archived from the original on 2016-01-10. Retrieved 2016-03-24.
  7. ↑ "Strip Clubs Are Being Wiped Out of the South Bronx". Vice. 2015-07-28. Retrieved 2016-03-24.
  8. ↑ "Bronx councilwoman Maria del Carmen Arroyo will resign". Politico. 2015-11-23. Retrieved 2016-03-24.
  9. ↑ "Salamanca Wins Bronx Special Election for City Council Seat". DNAinfo. 2015-02-24. Archived from the original on 2016-03-23. Retrieved 2016-03-24.
  10. ↑ Cohen, Jason. "Salamanca drops out of BP race – Bronx Times". www.bxtimes.com. Retrieved 2021-10-28.
  11. ↑ "'We simply cannot keep going on like this': Bronx council member responds to in-office shooting". News 12 - The Bronx. September 14, 2021. Retrieved 2021-10-28.
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