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New York's 15th Congressional District election, 2020 (June 23 Democratic primary)

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New York's 15th Congressional District
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Democratic primary
Republican primary
General election
Election details
Filing deadline: April 2, 2020
Primary: June 23, 2020
General: November 3, 2020
Pre-election incumbent:
Jose Serrano (Democratic)
How to vote
Poll times: 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. (general elections); primary times vary by county
Voting in New York
Race ratings
Cook Political Report: Solid Democratic
Inside Elections: Solid Democratic
Sabato's Crystal Ball: Safe Democratic
Ballotpedia analysis
U.S. Senate battlegrounds
U.S. House battlegrounds
Federal and state primary competitiveness
Ballotpedia's Election Analysis Hub, 2020
See also
New York's 15th Congressional District
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New York elections, 2020
U.S. Congress elections, 2020
U.S. Senate elections, 2020
U.S. House elections, 2020


Ritchie Torres defeated Michael Blake, Ruben Diaz Sr., Samelys Lopez, Ydanis Rodriguez, and seven other candidates to win the Democratic nomination in New York's 15th Congressional District in a primary on June 23, 2020. Torres advanced to the general election on November 3, 2020. Incumbent Jose Serrano (D), who was first elected in 1990, did not seek re-election.

The New York City Board of Elections declared Torres had won the primary on August 4, 2020. The announcement followed uncertainty over the results of several New York primaries owing to an unanticipated number of absentee ballots.[1]

Heading into the primary, Torres, Blake, Diaz, Lopez, and Melissa Mark-Viverito led the 12 candidates in endorsements and media attention.

Blake, a member of the New York State Assembly, was endorsed by U.S. Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.), U.S. Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.), and the Congressional Black Caucus PAC. Diaz, a New York City councilman and former state senator, was endorsed by the Police Benevolent Association. U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), Democratic Socialists of America, and the Working Families Party endorsed Lopez. Mark-Viverito, a former New York City councilwoman, received endorsements from U.S. Reps. Joaquín Castro (D-Texas) and Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.), the American Federation of Teachers, and Latino Victory. Torres, also a New York City councilman, was endorsed by The New York Times, U.S. Reps. David Cicilline (D-R.I.), Sean Maloney (D-N.Y.), and Mark Takano (D-Calif.), BOLD PAC, and End Citizens United.

According to The American Prospect, "a muddled open-seat primary has conspired to divvy up the progressive vote share among multiple hopefuls, much to the delight of an unapologetically conservative candidate, Ruben Diaz Sr. If he were to win, Diaz would quickly become one of, if not the most, conservative Democrats in the House."[2] According to Politico at the beginning of June, Diaz "[appeared] to be out front in the race ... A super PAC backed by LGBT donors was launched to oppose Díaz Sr. and is running ads urging voters to choose '#anyonebutdiaz.' Reproductive rights groups like Planned Parenthood’s political arm are opposing his candidacy. ... But the anti-Díaz forces are fractured, with a host of prominent Democrats still in the running and dividing progressive support."[3]

Frangell Basora, Mark Escoffery-Bey, Chivona Newsome, Julio Pabon, Tomas Ramos, Ydanis Rodriguez, and Marlene Tapper also ran in the primary.

According to campaign finance reports covering through June 3, Torres led in fundraising with $1.4 million, followed by Blake with $832,000, Mark-Viverito with $335,000, Lopez with $205,000, Diaz with $203,000, and Rodriguez with $151,000. All other candidates reported less than $100,000 in receipts.[4]

Daily Kos reported that satellite spending in the race primarily focused on Torres, with groups including the Voter Protection Project, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, and Equality PAC spending on his behalf.[5]

Major independent observers rated the general election as Solid Democratic or Safe Democratic. The 2017 Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district was D+44, meaning that in the previous two presidential elections, this district's results were 44 percentage points more Democratic than the national average. Click here to learn more about what was at stake in the general election.

Click on candidate names below to view their key messages:


Blake
Diaz
Lopez
Mark-Viverito
Torres


Republican Party For more information about the Republican primary, click here.
Grey.png For more information about the general election, click here.

Election procedure changes in 2020

See also: Changes to election dates, procedures, and administration in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

Ballotpedia provided comprehensive coverage of how election dates and procedures changed in 2020. While the majority of changes occurred as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, some changes occurred for other reasons.

New York modified its primary election process as follows:

  • Election postponements: The presidential preference primary was postponed from April 28 to June 23.
  • Candidate filing procedures: Petition signature requirements for primary candidates was reduced.
  • Voting procedures: All votes were allowed to cast their ballots by mail in the primary election. All eligible voters were sent absentee ballot applications. The absentee ballot submission deadline was extended to June 23.

For a full timeline about election modifications made in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, click here.


Candidates and election results

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House New York District 15

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Ritchie Torres
Ritchie Torres
 
32.1
 
19,090
Image of Michael Blake
Michael Blake
 
18.0
 
10,725
Image of Ruben Diaz
Ruben Diaz
 
14.4
 
8,559
Image of Samelys Lopez
Samelys Lopez Candidate Connection
 
13.9
 
8,272
Image of Ydanis Rodriguez
Ydanis Rodriguez
 
10.6
 
6,291
Image of Melissa Mark-Viverito
Melissa Mark-Viverito
 
4.3
 
2,561
Image of Tomas Ramos
Tomas Ramos Candidate Connection
 
2.4
 
1,442
Image of Chivona Newsome
Chivona Newsome Candidate Connection
 
2.3
 
1,366
Image of Marlene Tapper
Marlene Tapper Candidate Connection
 
0.7
 
392
Image of Julio Pabon
Julio Pabon Candidate Connection
 
0.4
 
244
Image of Frangell Basora
Frangell Basora Candidate Connection
 
0.3
 
189
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Submit photo
Mark Escoffery-Bey
 
0.3
 
153
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Submit photo
David Philip Franks Jr. (Write-in)
 
0.0
 
0
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.3
 
189

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 59,473
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Candidate profiles

This section includes candidate profiles created in one of two ways. Either the candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey or Ballotpedia staff created a profile after identifying the candidate as noteworthy.[6] Ballotpedia staff compiled profiles based on campaign websites, advertisements, and public statements.

Frangell Basora

Image of Frangell Basora

WebsiteFacebookTwitter

Party: Democratic Party

Incumbent: No

Political Office: None

Submitted Biography:  "Frangell's story is an American story and truly the story of New York - 15 and the Bronx. Frangell was born and raised on the Grand Concourse, in the Bronx, to a mother, a father, and a family who had immigrated to New York from the Dominican Republic in the 1990's. Because of social and economic difficulties that first-generation and immigrant families encounter upon their arrival to America, Frangell's father returned to the Dominican Republic, leaving his recently-arrived mother to raise her children in New York as a single parent. Frangell's mother worked incredibly hard to provide for her three children, navigating through the incredible challenges that single, Spanish-speaking mothers face in New York and in our country. After many lower-income jobs, she eventually dedicated herself to the Bronx' small business, immigrant sector, working in and helping establish and run beauty salons and other entrepreneurial efforts throughout the borough and New York - 15. At the age of eleven, Frangell and his family lost their home on the Grand Concourse and were forced to enter New York's shelter and transitional housing system, where he moved to various sites throughout the Bronx and Manhattan, settling in Fox House, and then growing up in 220 Mt. Hope Place, the Bronx. Frangell graduated from Cardinal Hayes Memorial High School for Boys in the Bronx and then from Columbia University and has worked in NYC government since graduation. "

Key Messages

To read this candidate's full survey responses, click here.

Permanent, secured, reliable, and dignified housing is a human right and, if elected to Congress, Frangell will prioritize permanent affordable housing and he will fight against the institutionalized prejudice and classism that stands against the constituents of New York - 15 and lower-income Americans.

In the greatest nation in the world, access to excellent healthcare for absolutely everyone, especially for our most low-income, should be part of our daily identity as Americans and as New Yorkers. Competitive healthcare from the government that prioritizes all of our people is necessary. We will build a system where healthcare is directly focused on our people and on our communities. Additionally, we will address our communities' mental health crises and the disparity in specialized healthcare access.

In Congress, Frangell will stop normalizing poverty and implement practical and real-based solutions that will help uplift all of our people. Frangell proposes a Federal Jobs Guarantee for New York - 15 and the Bronx and for our nation's most low-income communities, with viable employment that begin at $15 per hour. The Federal Jobs Guarantee would be tailored specifically for New York - 15 and the nation's most low-income districts and most marginalized workforce. Our nation will invest in the people that it has grown used to forgetting.

This information was current as of the candidate's run for U.S. House New York District 15 in 2020.

Michael Blake

Image of Michael Blake

WebsiteFacebookTwitter

Party: Democratic Party

Incumbent: No

Political Office: 

New York State Assembly (Assumed office: 2015)

Biography:  Blake graduated from Northwestern University with a B.S. in broadcast journalism. As of his 2020 campaign, Blake’s professional experience included working as deputy associate director of the Offices of Intergovernmental Affairs and Public Engagement at the White House, national deputy director for Operation VOTE, campaign manager for Reshma Saujani’s public advocate campaign, director of public policy and external affairs at Green for All, and national consultant at ATLAS Strategy Group.


Key Messages

The following key messages were curated by Ballotpedia staff. For more on how we identify key messages, click here.

Blake’s campaign website said, “Michael Blake is not only of this new generation, but he is someone who knows from lived experience what it’s like to struggle and succeed in the Bronx. This election represents an opportunity to elect someone who genuinely understands our hopes and needs, who will fight to empower us, who is not afraid to shake things up in Washington, and who has the federal leadership experience and vision to make real change.”

Blake tweeted, “I'm running for Congress in #TheBronx because we BELIEVE that your block won't block your blessing and your zipcode won't deny your destiny.”  

Show sources

Sources: Michael Blake 2020 campaign website, "Our Mission," accessed June 19, 2020, Twitter, "Michael Blake (Text BLAKE to 66539) on June 8, 2020," accessed June 19, 2020; LinkedIn, "Michael Blake," accessed June 19, 2020

This information was current as of the candidate's run for U.S. House New York District 15 in 2020.

Ruben Diaz

Image of Ruben Diaz

FacebookTwitter

Party: Democratic Party

Incumbent: No

Political Office: 

New York City Council (Assumed office: 2018)

New York State Senate (2003-2017)

Biography:  Diaz earned a bachelor's degree from Herbert H. Lehman College and a theological degree from the Damascus Bible Institute. He was ordained in the Church of God and founded the Christian Community Benevolent Association and Christian Community Neighborhood Church. He also served as a member of the New York City Civilian Complaint Review Board.


Key Messages

The following key messages were curated by Ballotpedia staff. For more on how we identify key messages, click here.

Diaz tweeted, “I’ve been fighting for the Bronx since the days it was burning and I’m still here fighting for the hard working families of the South Bronx.”

Diaz wrote, “You should know, that through the years, I have received a lot of media attention for standing firm on my Christian faith – especially for my opposition to gay marriage and abortion – but in spite of what you might have read in a recent news article, my record, especially during my years serving as a member of the NYS Senate proves that I have been one of New York’s most effective and proficient Democratic legislators, but that record has been routinely ignored.”

Show sources

Sources: Twitter, "Rev Ruben Diaz, Sr. on June 4, 2020," accessed June 19, 2020, Facebook, "Ruben Diaz on June 17, 2020," accessed June 19, 2020; New York City Council, "Biography - Ruben Diaz, Sr.," accessed June 19, 2020

This information was current as of the candidate's run for U.S. House New York District 15 in 2020.

Samelys Lopez

Image of Samelys Lopez

WebsiteFacebookTwitter

Party: Democratic Party

Incumbent: No

Political Office: None

Submitted Biography:  "I grew up in the NYC family shelter system and faced many of the challenges my Bronx neighbors experienced - housing scarcity, domestic violence, food insecurity. I was able to obtain a degree from Columbia University's Barnard College. After college, I worked at Congressmember José E. Serrano's Bronx district office where I assisted with constituent housing in her role as a Congressional Aide. I enrolled at NYU and graduated with a Masters in Urban Planning with a focus on Housing and Community Development. Samelys interned at the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) where she gained experience in providing affordable housing for New Yorkers. My former colleagues and I co-founded Velo City, a youth cycling initiative that recruited youth from the South Bronx and Brownsville to diversify the professions of the built environment to empower youth to fight for the dignity and needs of their communities on their own terms. I am currently an activist in the Housing Justice for All statewide coalition which was instrumental in securing quite possibly the most historic pro-tenant rent reforms New York State has ever seen. I am also an active member and co-founder of Bronx Progressives, a local chapter of the New York Progressive Action Network and Our Revolution. Through Bronx Progressives, Samelys has played a role in helping to build an independent, community led grassroots political movement in the Bronx."

Key Messages

To read this candidate's full survey responses, click here.

Housing is a human right!

Universal healthcare in the form of Medicare for All

We need to end corruption by getting money out of politics.

This information was current as of the candidate's run for U.S. House New York District 15 in 2020.

Melissa Mark-Viverito

Image of Melissa Mark-Viverito

WebsiteFacebookTwitter

Party: Democratic Party

Incumbent: No

Political Office: 

New York City Council (2006-2017)

Biography:  Mark-Viverito graduated from Columbia University with a B.A. in political science. She received a Master of Public Administration from City University of New York. As of her 2020 campaign, Mark-Viverito’s professional experience included working as the strategic organizer for 1199 SEIU, director of the Hispanic Education and Legal Fund, and deputy director of ASPIRA of New York.


Key Messages

The following key messages were curated by Ballotpedia staff. For more on how we identify key messages, click here.

Mark-Viverito said, “You deserve a congressional representative whose sole priority is your well being. A representative focused on ensuring that the same opportunities are available to you regardless of zip code, geography or income. I am committed to being that representative.”

Mark-Viverito said of Diaz, “The last thing we need in this borough, in this congressional district, is that we have a Trump-supporting republican disguised as a Democrat. … Rev. Diaz needs to go. He needs to step out of the race. He has no business running in a Democratic primary.”

Show sources

Sources: Melissa Mark-Viverito 2020 campaign website, "Home," accessed June 19, 2020, Norwood News, "15th Congressional District Race: Mark-Viverito Calls Rev. Diaz Sr. 'A Hoax and A Huckster Who Has to Go,'" June 4, 2020; Facebook, "Melissa Mark-Viverito," accessed June 19, 2020

This information was current as of the candidate's run for U.S. House New York District 15 in 2020.

Chivona Newsome

Image of Chivona Newsome

WebsiteFacebookTwitter

Party: Democratic Party

Incumbent: No

Political Office: None

Submitted Biography:  "Chivona Newsome, the Co-Founder of Black Lives Matter Greater NY, is acivil rights leader at the forefront of the New Civil Rights Movement and former Financial Advisor at New York Life. She has dedicated her adult life to the betterment of her community & our nation as a whole. Now she isbringing this fight to The Bronx, in NY-15, where she was born and raised. As a financial advisor, Chivona served her community. She worked on the $50 Billon Dollar challenge which created college savings, retirement plans, and generational wealth for over 300 black and brown residents of New York. Since then she has engaged in protests and activities to combat financial injustice. Chivona has worked tirelessly leading protests and seeking justice for the families of police brutality, she works with members of LGBT community, victims of human trafficking, the mental health community, women's reproductive rights organizations, and housing justice advocates. "

Key Messages

To read this candidate's full survey responses, click here.

Criminal Justice Reform

Universal Basic Income

Affordable Housing

This information was current as of the candidate's run for U.S. House New York District 15 in 2020.

Julio Pabon

Image of Julio Pabon

WebsiteFacebookTwitterYouTube

Party: Democratic Party

Incumbent: No

Political Office: None

Submitted Biography:  "I have lived in the district for over 60 years where I still live today. I grew up in poverty, single parent and many times homeless. I survived the worst of the South Bronx in the decades that brought on the drug violence, the gangs, and the fires by constantly moving with my family. I have raised three children who all attended public schools in the South Bronx and today are all professionals and proud of where they grew up. I had to move many times because of the issue of gangs, drug violence and fires, but never left the district. The Bronx is where I have worked and have been fighting for justice for decades. My parents came here from Puerto Rico and struggled so that things could be better for me. Pop became a single dad and worked at local bodegas and sold shaved ice (Piraguas) in parks. Besides his work ethic, my dad instilled in me his beliefs in education and economic independence, which I followed, as ways out of poverty. ​ I've worked for City, State and Federal governments. I have been a community activist since the days of the Young Lords and El Comité and became an entrepreneur in the Bronx. With this experience and years as an activist, I have kept my finger on the pulse of the pain and hardship people unnecessarily endure in the Bronx. Unlike empty promises by career politicians, I make one promise and that is that I will fight like hell to improve the community that has been the poorest congressional district for way too long."

Key Messages

To read this candidate's full survey responses, click here.

I am not a politician and I am not interested in a career as a politician. I am an activist that knows how to fight for our district.

My focus will be on the economy of a district that has been neglected for too long. I will with Occupy NYCHA on owner occupancy and develop economic opportunities for our youth while protecting and developing small businesses.

I will continue my work on Criminal Justice Reform and I will also work on changing policies like the Jones Act that unfairly burdens 3.2 million American citizens in Puerto Rico with unfair and antiquated maritime laws.

This information was current as of the candidate's run for U.S. House New York District 15 in 2020.

Marlene Tapper

Image of Marlene Tapper

WebsiteFacebookTwitter

Party: Democratic Party

Incumbent: No

Political Office: None

Submitted Biography:  "Marlene Tapper first became an activist in politics at the age of 17, when she worked on Geraldine Ferraro's Vice Presidential campaign this experience grew into a lifelong passion. As a domestic violence and sexual assault survivor, she used these experiences to dedicate herself to others to help her own healing. Tapper focused on women who were displaced and living in shelters helping them to rebuild their lives and finances. As an organizer, she applied these skills to conducting seminars for survivors and lobbied for laws to be introduced with the state legislature to aid individuals in this predicament. As an advocate, political consultant, entrepreneur and banker I have used these skills for the past 25 years advocating for the quality of life issues and to change how funds are allocated to the poorest communities. Tapper has traveled to over 17 states working on Congressional, Senatorial, and Presidential campaigns. Her work ethic came from her immigrant parents who are from Barbados and Kenya. Ms. Tapper said being told she would never walk again made her pledge her life to help others when miraculously her body and mind began to heal. I am a "ME TOO" activist who has lobbied every federal member in the state of New York to sign onto H.R.4396 - ME TOO Congress Act."

Key Messages

To read this candidate's full survey responses, click here.

Health Impact Due to Disproportionate Funding Decreasing the Mortality Rate

Publlic Housing - The Neglect Must Come to An End

Creating job training programs for residents in professions which place them into the middle class

This information was current as of the candidate's run for U.S. House New York District 15 in 2020.

Ritchie Torres

Image of Ritchie Torres

FacebookYouTube

Party: Democratic Party

Incumbent: No

Political Office: 

New York City Council (Assumed office: 2013)

Biography:  Torres attended New York University. He was a fellow in the Coro NY Exploring Leadership Program and worked as the housing director for New York City Council Member Jimmy Vacca.


Key Messages

The following key messages were curated by Ballotpedia staff. For more on how we identify key messages, click here.

Torres said, “Should I have the honor of serving, I'll fight for quality health care and housing, schools and jobs. I'll stand up for immigrants, seniors, and youth. I'll fight everyday to protect our neighborhoods from gun violence and make the Bronx a safe, decent, affordable place to live. My motto in life is simple: ‘If you do nothing, nothing will change’. We can build a better Bronx, but we have to do it together.”

Torres tweeted, “The triumph of an openly LGBTQ candidate over a pro-Trump homophobe like Ruben Diaz Sr. would be poetic justice. As a Congressional candidate. I can think of no better way to celebrate #PrideMonth than to retire the politics of fear and hate that Diaz Sr represents.”

Show sources

Sources: Ritchie Torres 2020 campaign website, "Home," accessed June 19, 2020, Twitter, "Ritchie Torres on June 4, 2020," accessed June 19, 2020; The New Yorker, "Fighting for the poor under Trump," December 5, 2016, New York City Council, "District 15 - Ritchie J. Torres," accessed June 19, 2020 

This information was current as of the candidate's run for U.S. House New York District 15 in 2020.


Noteworthy primary endorsements

This section includes noteworthy endorsements issued in the primary, added as we learn about them. Click here to read how we define noteworthy primary endorsements. If you are aware of endorsements that should be included, please email us.


Click on the links below to view lists of endorsements on candidate websites, as available:

Noteworthy primary endorsements
Endorsement Blake Diaz Lopez Mark-Viverito Torres
Newspapers and editorials
The New York Times[7] ✔
Elected officials
U.S. Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.)[8] ✔
U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.)[9] ✔
U.S. Rep. Karen Bass (D-Calif.)[10] ✔
U.S. Rep. Anthony Brindisi (D-N.Y.)[10] ✔
U.S. Rep. Joaquín Castro (D-Texas)[11] ✔
U.S. Rep. David Cicilline (D-R.I.)[12] ✔
U.S. Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.)[11] ✔
U.S. Rep. Debra Haaland (D-N.M.)[10] ✔
U.S. Rep. Steven Horsford (D-Nev.)[13] ✔
U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (D-Ill.)[10] ✔
U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee (D-Mich.)[10] ✔
U.S. Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.)[14] ✔
U.S. Rep. Sean Maloney (D-N.Y.)[15] ✔
U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.)[16] ✔
U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan (Ohio) (D-Ohio)[10] ✔
U.S. Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.)[12] ✔
Organizations
American Federation of Teachers[17] ✔
BOLD PAC[18] ✔
Communications Workers of America[19] ✔
Congressional Black Caucus PAC[20] ✔
Courage to Change PAC[21] ✔
Democratic Socialists of America[22] ✔
End Citizens United[23] ✔
Equality PAC[12] ✔
Hotel Trades Council[12] ✔
Human Rights Campaign[12] ✔
JVP Action[24] ✔
Latino Victory[25] ✔
Matriarch[26] ✔
NOW PAC[27] ✔
National Education Association[17] ✔
National Policy Alliance[28] ✔
New American Leaders Action Fund[29] ✔
Our Revolution[30] ✔
People's Action[31] ✔
Police Benevolent Association[32] ✔
Progressive Democrats of America[33] ✔
Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union[34] ✔
United Federation of Teachers[17] ✔
Victory Fund[12] ✔
LiUNA![12] ✔
Voter Protection Project[35] ✔
Vote Pro-Choice[27] ✔
Working Families Party[36] ✔

Timeline

  • June 11, 2020: Pre-election campaign finance reports covering all fundraising and spending through June 3, 2020, were due. Torres led in fundraising with $1.4 million, followed by Blake with $832,000, Mark-Viverito with $335,000, Lopez with $205,000, Diaz with $203,000, and Rodriguez with $151,000. All other candidates reported less than $100,000 in receipts.[4]

Campaign finance

This section contains campaign finance figures from the Federal Election Commission covering all candidate fundraising and spending in this election.[37] It does not include information on fundraising before the current campaign cycle or on spending by satellite groups. The numbers in this section are updated as candidates file new campaign finance reports. Candidates for Congress are required to file financial reports on a quarterly basis, as well as two weeks before any primary, runoff, or general election in which they will be on the ballot and upon the termination of any campaign committees.[38] The chart below contains data from financial reports submitted to the Federal Election Commission.

Name Party Receipts* Disbursements** Cash on hand Date
Frangell Basora Democratic Party $11,138 $10,673 $1,315 As of December 31, 2019
Michael Blake Democratic Party $1,006,403 $1,006,267 $137 As of December 31, 2020
Ruben Diaz Democratic Party $222,662 $222,275 $387 As of December 31, 2020
Mark Escoffery-Bey Democratic Party $0 $0 $0 Data not available***
David Philip Franks Jr. Democratic Party $0 $0 $0 Data not available***
Samelys Lopez Democratic Party $418,558 $418,558 $0 As of December 31, 2020
Melissa Mark-Viverito Democratic Party $390,930 $368,872 $22,058 As of December 31, 2020
Chivona Newsome Democratic Party $38,594 $33,907 $4,687 As of June 30, 2020
Julio Pabon Democratic Party $1 $0 $0 As of November 13, 2020
Tomas Ramos Democratic Party $76,979 $76,201 $778 As of September 30, 2020
Ydanis Rodriguez Democratic Party $191,779 $192,095 $-316 As of December 31, 2020
Marlene Tapper Democratic Party $29,643 $29,183 $460 As of June 30, 2020
Ritchie Torres Democratic Party $2,220,924 $1,831,234 $389,690 As of December 31, 2020

Source: Federal Elections Commission, "Campaign finance data," 2020. This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).

* According to the FEC, "Receipts are anything of value (money, goods, services or property) received by a political committee."
** According to the FEC, a disbursement "is a purchase, payment, distribution, loan, advance, deposit or gift of money or anything of value to influence a federal election," plus other kinds of payments not made to influence a federal election.
*** Candidate either did not report any receipts or disbursements to the FEC, or Ballotpedia did not find an FEC candidate ID.


Primaries in New York

A primary election is an election in which registered voters select a candidate that they believe should be a political party's candidate for elected office to run in the general election. They are also used to choose convention delegates and party leaders. Primaries are state-level and local-level elections that take place prior to a general election. New York utilizes a closed primary process, in which the selection of a party's candidates in an election is limited to registered party members.[39][40]

For information about which offices are nominated via primary election, see this article.

What was at stake in the general election?

See also: New York's 16th Congressional District election, 2020

U.S. House elections were held on November 3, 2020, and coincided with the 2020 presidential election. All 435 House districts were up for election, and the results determined control of the U.S. House in the 117th Congress.

At the time of the election, Democrats had a 232-197 advantage over Republicans. There was one Libertarian member, and there were five vacancies. Republicans needed to gain a net 21 seats to win control of the House. Democrats needed to gain seats or lose fewer than 14 net seats to keep their majority.

In the 2018 midterm election, Democrats had a net gain of 40 seats, winning a 235-200 majority in the House. Heading into the 2018 election, Republicans had a 235-193 majority with seven vacancies.

In the 25 previous House elections that coincided with a presidential election, the president's party had gained House seats in 16 elections and lost seats in nine. In years where the president's party won districts, the average gain was 18. In years where the president's party lost districts, the average loss was 27. Click here for more information on presidential partisanship and down-ballot outcomes.


General election race ratings

See also: Race rating definitions and methods

Ballotpedia provides race ratings from four outlets: The Cook Political Report, Inside Elections, Sabato's Crystal Ball, and DDHQ/The Hill. Each race rating indicates if one party is perceived to have an advantage in the race and, if so, the degree of advantage:

  • Safe and Solid ratings indicate that one party has a clear edge and the race is not competitive.
  • Likely ratings indicate that one party has a clear edge, but an upset is possible.
  • Lean ratings indicate that one party has a small edge, but the race is competitive.[41]
  • Toss-up ratings indicate that neither party has an advantage.

Race ratings are informed by a number of factors, including polling, candidate quality, and election result history in the race's district or state.[42][43][44]

Race ratings: New York's 15th Congressional District election, 2020
Race trackerRace ratings
November 3, 2020October 27, 2020October 20, 2020October 13, 2020
The Cook Political ReportSolid DemocraticSolid DemocraticSolid DemocraticSolid Democratic
Inside Elections with Nathan L. GonzalesSolid DemocraticSolid DemocraticSolid DemocraticSolid Democratic
Larry J. Sabato's Crystal BallSafe DemocraticSafe DemocraticSafe DemocraticSafe Democratic
Note: Ballotpedia updates external race ratings every week throughout the election season.

District analysis

See also: The Cook Political Report's Partisan Voter Index
See also: FiveThirtyEight's elasticity scores

The 2017 Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district was D+44, meaning that in the previous two presidential elections, this district's results were 44 percentage points more Democratic than the national average. This made New York's 15th Congressional District the most Democratic nationally.[45]

FiveThirtyEight's September 2018 elasticity score for states and congressional districts measured "how sensitive it is to changes in the national political environment." This district's elasticity score was 0.77. This means that for every 1 point the national political mood moved toward a party, the district was expected to move 0.77 points toward that party.[46]

Pivot Counties

See also: Pivot Counties by state

Eighteen of 62 New York counties—29 percent—are Pivot Counties. Pivot Counties are counties that voted for Barack Obama (D) in 2008 and 2012 and for Donald Trump (R) in 2016. Altogether, the nation had 206 Pivot Counties, with most being concentrated in upper midwestern and northeastern states.

Counties won by Trump in 2016 and Obama in 2012 and 2008
County Trump margin of victory in 2016 Obama margin of victory in 2012 Obama margin of victory in 2008
Broome County, New York 2.01% 5.31% 8.02%
Cayuga County, New York 11.64% 11.40% 8.48%
Cortland County, New York 5.58% 9.11% 9.96%
Essex County, New York 1.14% 18.77% 13.32%
Franklin County, New York 5.45% 26.07% 22.23%
Madison County, New York 14.20% 0.89% 0.87%
Niagara County, New York 17.75% 0.84% 1.00%
Orange County, New York 5.50% 5.65% 4.13%
Oswego County, New York 21.99% 7.93% 2.44%
Otsego County, New York 11.13% 2.72% 5.91%
Rensselaer County, New York 1.41% 12.19% 9.34%
St. Lawrence County, New York 8.82% 16.71% 16.33%
Saratoga County, New York 3.21% 2.44% 3.40%
Seneca County, New York 11.01% 9.08% 2.60%
Suffolk County, New York 6.84% 3.69% 5.99%
Sullivan County, New York 11.23% 9.02% 9.46%
Warren County, New York 8.47% 2.32% 2.64%
Washington County, New York 18.40% 1.90% 0.81%

In the 2016 presidential election, Hillary Clinton (D) won New York with 59 percent of the vote. Donald Trump (R) received 36.5 percent. In presidential elections between 1792 and 2016, New York voted Democratic 45.6 percent of the time and Republican 35 percent of the time. In the five presidential elections between 2000 and 2016, New York voted Democratic all five times.[47]

Presidential results by legislative district

The following table details results of the 2012 and 2016 presidential elections by state Assembly districts in New York. Click [show] to expand the table. The "Obama," "Romney," "Clinton," and "Trump" columns describe the percent of the vote each presidential candidate received in the district. The "2012 Margin" and "2016 Margin" columns describe the margin of victory between the two presidential candidates in those years. The "Party Control" column notes which party held that seat heading into the 2018 general election. Data on the results of the 2012 and 2016 presidential elections broken down by state legislative districts was compiled by Daily Kos.[48][49]

In 2012, Barack Obama (D) won 114 out of 150 state Assembly districts in New York with an average margin of victory of 46.5 points. In 2016, Hillary Clinton (D) won 99 out of 150 state Assembly districts in New York with an average margin of victory of 50.3 points. Clinton won four districts controlled by Republicans heading into the 2018 elections.
In 2012, Mitt Romney (R) won 36 out of 150 state Assembly districts in New York with an average margin of victory of 10.5 points. In 2016, Donald Trump (R) won 51 out of 150 state Assembly districts in New York with an average margin of victory of 17.6 points. Trump won 13 districts controlled by Democrats heading into the 2018 elections.


District election history

2018

See also: New York's 15th Congressional District election, 2018

General election

General election

General election for U.S. House New York District 15

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of José Serrano
José Serrano (D)
 
96.0
 
124,469
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Submit photo
Jason Gonzalez (R)
 
4.0
 
5,205

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 129,674
(100.00% precincts reporting)
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House New York District 15

Candidate
✔
Image of José Serrano
José Serrano

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified.

Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House New York District 15

Candidate
✔
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Submit photo
Jason Gonzalez

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified.

Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

2016

See also: New York's 15th Congressional District election, 2016

Heading into the election, Ballotpedia rated this race as safely Democratic. Incumbent Jose Serrano (D) defeated Alejandro Vega (R) and Eduardo Ramirez (Conservative) in the general election on November 8, 2016. Serrano defeated Leonel Baez in the Democratic primary on June 28, 2016.[51][52]

U.S. House, New York District 15 General Election, 2016
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngJose E. Serrano Incumbent 95.3% 165,688
     Republican Alejandro Vega 3.5% 6,129
     Conservative Eduardo Ramirez 1.2% 2,104
Total Votes 173,921
Source: New York Board of Elections


U.S. House, New York, District 15 Democratic Primary, 2016
Candidate Vote % Votes
Green check mark transparent.pngJose Serrano Incumbent 89.2% 9,334
Leonel Baez 10.8% 1,127
Total Votes 10,461
Source: New York State Board of Elections

2014

See also: New York's 15th Congressional District elections, 2014

The 15th Congressional District of New York held an election for the U.S. House of Representatives on November 4, 2014. Incumbent Jose Serrano (D) defeated Eduardo Ramirez (Conservative) and William Edstrom (Green) in the general election.

U.S. House, New York District 15 General Election, 2014
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngJose Serrano Incumbent 97.1% 54,906
     Conservative Eduardo Ramirez 1.9% 1,047
     Green William Edstrom 1% 568
     N/A Write-in votes 0.1% 42
Total Votes 56,563
Source: New York State Board of Elections, NYS Board of Elections Rep. in Congress Election Returns November 4, 2014," accessed August 30, 2021

State profile

See also: New York and New York elections, 2020
USA New York location map.svg

Partisan data

The information in this section was current as of June 19, 2020.

Presidential voting pattern

Congressional delegation

State executives

State legislature

New York Party Control: 1992-2025
Nine years of Democratic trifectas  •  No Republican trifectas
Scroll left and right on the table below to view more years.

Year 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
Governor D D D R R R R R R R R R R R R D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D
Senate R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R D D R R R R R R R R D D D D D D D
Assembly D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D

New York quick stats
More New York coverage on Ballotpedia:


Demographic data for New York
 New YorkU.S.
Total population:19,747,183316,515,021
Land area (sq mi):47,1263,531,905
Race and ethnicity**
White:64.6%73.6%
Black/African American:15.6%12.6%
Asian:8%5.1%
Native American:0.4%0.8%
Pacific Islander:0%0.2%
Two or more:2.9%3%
Hispanic/Latino:18.4%17.1%
Education
High school graduation rate:85.6%86.7%
College graduation rate:34.2%29.8%
Income
Median household income:$59,269$53,889
Persons below poverty level:18.5%11.3%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2010-2015)
Click here for more information on the 2020 census and here for more on its impact on the redistricting process in New York.
**Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here.


See also

External links

Footnotes

  1. ↑ The New York Times, "After 6 Weeks, Victors Are Declared in 2 N.Y. Congressional Primaries," August 4, 2020
  2. ↑ The American Prospect, "Could a Homophobic Conservative Democrat Win Next Door to AOC?" June 9, 2020
  3. ↑ Politico, "'AOC effect' put to the test in heated New York primaries," June 5, 2020
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Federal Election Commission, "New York - House District 15," accessed June 18, 2020
  5. ↑ Daily Kos, "Morning Digest: Outside groups ramp up attacks on phony New York Democrat keen on Trump," June 12, 2020
  6. ↑ Candidate Connection surveys completed before September 26, 2019, were not used to generate candidate profiles. In battleground primaries, Ballotpedia based its selection of noteworthy candidates on polling, fundraising, and noteworthy endorsements. In battleground general elections, all major party candidates and any other candidates with the potential to impact the outcome of the race were included.
  7. ↑ The New York Times "New York Voters Can Send Some Promising New Faces to Congress," June 12, 2020
  8. ↑ City & State, "Cory Booker, Jesse Jackson back Michael Blake for Congress," June 18, 2020
  9. ↑ Medium, "Let’s Send These Progressives to Congress," June 9, 2020
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 10.5 Michael Blake 2020 campaign website, "Six Members of Congress Endorse Congressional Candidate Michael Blake (NY-15)," September 13, 2019
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 The Hill, "Top Hispanic Caucus members endorse Melissa Mark-Viverito in NY House primary," June 11, 2020
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 12.5 12.6 Ritchie Torres 2020 campaign website, "Endorsements," accessed June 19, 2020
  13. ↑ Michael Blake 2020 campaign website, "More than 20 State & Federal Elected Officials Endorse Michael Blake for Congress (NY-15)," February 6, 2020
  14. ↑ Twitter, "Emily Ngo on June 15, 2020," accessed June 19, 2020
  15. ↑ Twitter, "Sean Patrick Maloney on June 7, 2020," accessed June 19, 2020
  16. ↑ Daily News, "AOC backs Samelys López in race for South Bronx congressional district," February 21, 2020
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 Twitter, "Melissa Mark-Viverito on May 13, 2020," accessed June 19, 2020
  18. ↑ BOLD PAC, "Ritchie Torres, NY-15," accessed June 19, 2020
  19. ↑ Facebook, "Ritchie Torres For Congress on December 9, 2019," accessed June 19, 2020
  20. ↑ Michael Blake 2020 campaign website, "The Congressional Black Caucus PAC (CBCPAC) Endorses Michael Blake for Congress (NY-15)," September 25, 2019
  21. ↑ Courage to Change, "Endorsements," accessed June 19, 2020
  22. ↑ The City, "Democratic Socialists Look to Bronx U.S. House Race for Next Victory," December 12, 2020
  23. ↑ End Citizens United, "End Citizens United Endorses Ritchie Torres in NY-15," January 28, 2020
  24. ↑ JVP Action, "JVP Action endorses Lopez for Congress," April 30, 2020
  25. ↑ Latino Victory, "Latino Victory Fund Endorses Melissa Mark-Viverito for Congress," January 22, 2020
  26. ↑ Facebook, "Matriarch on April 1, 2020," accessed June 19, 2020
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 Melissa Mark-Viverito 2020 campaign website, "Home," accessed June 19, 2020
  28. ↑ Michael Blake 2020 campaign website, "The National Policy Alliance (NPA) Endorses Michael Blake for Congress (NY-15)," December 30, 2019
  29. ↑ New American Leaders Action Fund, "Endorsed Candidates," accessed June 19, 2020
  30. ↑ Facebook, "Our Revolution on May 23, 2019," accessed June 19, 2020
  31. ↑ People's Action on June 17, 2020," accessed June 19, 2020
  32. ↑ Metro Weekly, "New York police union endorses anti-LGBTQ Democrat Ruben Diaz Sr. in congressional primary," May 22, 2020
  33. ↑ Progressive Democrats of America, "2020 Endorsements," accessed June 19, 2020
  34. ↑ Michael Blake 2020 campaign website, "Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU) Endorses Michael Blake for Congress (NY-15)," May 14, 2020
  35. ↑ Voter Protection Project, "Voter Protection Project Endorses Ritchie Torres in New York’s 15th Congressional District," April 27, 2020
  36. ↑ City & State, "WFP backs newcomer Samelys López for open South Bronx House seat," April 16, 2020
  37. ↑ Fundraising by primary candidates can be found on the race's respective primary election page. Fundraising by general election candidates can be found on the race's general election page.
  38. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "2022 Quarterly Reports," accessed March 2, 2022
  39. ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "State Primary Election Types," accessed October 8, 2024
  40. ↑ New York State Senate, "Consolidated Laws of New York § 17-17-102," accessed October 8, 2024
  41. ↑ Inside Elections also uses Tilt ratings to indicate an even smaller advantage and greater competitiveness.
  42. ↑ Amee LaTour, "Email correspondence with Nathan Gonzalez," April 19, 2018
  43. ↑ Amee LaTour, "Email correspondence with Kyle Kondik," April 19, 2018
  44. ↑ Amee LaTour, "Email correspondence with Charlie Cook," April 22, 2018
  45. ↑ Cook Political Report, "Introducing the 2017 Cook Political Report Partisan Voter Index," April 7, 2017
  46. ↑ FiveThirtyEight, "Election Update: The Most (And Least) Elastic States And Districts," September 6, 2018
  47. ↑ 270towin.com, "New York," accessed June 1, 2017
  48. ↑ Daily Kos, "Daily Kos Elections' statewide election results by congressional and legislative districts," July 9, 2013
  49. ↑ Daily Kos, "Daily Kos Elections' 2016 presidential results for congressional and legislative districts," February 6, 2017
  50. ↑ Democrats won Assembly District 9 in a special election on May 23, 2017. The seat was previously held by a Republican.
  51. ↑ New York State Board of Elections, "Filings received for the 2016 Primary Election," accessed May 15, 2016
  52. ↑ Politico, "New York House Races Results," June 28, 2016


New York's current delegation to the United States Congress
Senators
Kirsten Gillibrand (D)
Chuck Schumer (D)
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District 15
District 16
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Pat Ryan (D)
District 19
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District 23
District 24
District 25
District 26
Democratic Party (21)
Republican Party (7)


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