Browse > Home / Latest, Local Politics / Term Limits Extended

Term Limits Extended

November 5, 2008

Baez Seeks Four More Years

On Oct. 23, the City Council voted to extend term limits by 29 votes to 22.  All but one of Bronx’s eight council members – including the west Bronx’s Maria Baez and Helen Foster – supported the measure, which will allow Mayor Michael Bloomberg to run for another four years.

The decision also permits council members to seek a third term in office. Under the old laws, so-called “term limited” politicians like Baez would have been forced to step aside at the end of 2009, after serving two four-year terms.

Baez has already launched a reelection campaign, and held her first fund-raiser on Oct. 30.  She previously told the Monitor she favored a term limits extension because it would “give an opportunity for members like myself to finish projects.”  

Baez

Baez, who has been criticized in recent times for a woeful attendance record at Council meetings and hearings, could be in for a tough fight. None of the candidates who previously announced they were running seem scared off by the prospect of facing the incumbent.

“We’re moving forward,” said candidate Fernando Cabrera, pastor of New Life International Church in North Fordham. “There is a need, a vacuum of leadership in District 14.” (The district includes Mount Hope, and parts of Fordham and University Heights.)

Yudelka Tapia, a city auditor, is still committed to the race according to spokesman Jorge Javier. “Yudelka Tapia’s campaign is still going and she still plans on running for City Council in District 14,” Javier said in an email. 

Hector Ramirez, Democratic leader in the 86th Assembly District, was not available for comment by press time.

The ongoing battle for leadership of the Bronx Democratic Party will influence this race as well.

Tapia was expected to seek support from current party chairman Jose Rivera, but now that his close ally (and former chief of staff) Baez is back in the race, it may not be coming her way.

Also, because of Baez’s close relationship with Rivera, the “Rainbow Rebels,” a group of politicians currently challenging Rivera, may make this race a priority. The Rebels reportedly back Ramirez. (As we went to press, Rivera’s fate was still being decided in court.)

The term limit extension, deeply unpopular in some quarters because New Yorkers have voted twice before (1993 and 1996) in favor of a two-term cap, will also allow Helen Foster to run for a third term – if she chooses to do so.

Previously, Foster, whose 16th District serves Morris Heights and much of the south Bronx, has toyed with the idea of running for borough president, according to the Highbridge Horizon. The Horizon also reported that she’d consider a position in a Barack Obama administration, if Obama wins and one came her way. (She was one of the few politicians in the city to support him over Hillary Clinton.) 

Foster didn’t return phone calls seeking comment, so there’s no word on her latest plans.

According to the city’s Campaign Finance Board, two other candidates are currently in the race: Adrianne Moses, a Community Board 3 board member, and Zena Nelson, founder the South Bronx Food Cooperative.

The term limit decision also affects other city officials.  Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrion, who was running for city comptroller, will probably go for borough president again, says the Daily News.

Neither state senators nor assembly members are affected by term limits, as they’re state officials, not city. 

By JAMES FEGUSSON. Additional reporting by JORDAN MOSS.

Written by admin · Filed Under Latest, Local Politics 

Comments

One Response to “Term Limits Extended”

  1. Dr. D on November 8th, 2008 9:10 am

    I am very disappointed that our Bronx reps did not respect the voters’ majority will to push for a referendum on the ballot on term limits. I will not be voting for any of the incumbents (such as Maria Baez, my councilwoman) who so obviously don’t respect the opinions of their residents. As for Ms. Baez, I believe she has done a horrible job and I regret fully having voter for her. In fact, I will volunteer to campaign for any democrat who wants to run against her! As for the mayor, he may have had my vote for a third term had the citizens of the city voted to extend term limits. However, I am now even more convinced that he’s a despot and that is not what will help this city.

Got something to say?