Rafael Salamanca Jr.
Rafael Salamanca Jr. (Democratic Party) is a member of the New York City Council, representing District 17. He assumed office in 2016. His current term ends on January 1, 2026.
Salamanca (Democratic Party) ran for election for Bronx Borough President in New York. He lost in the Democratic primary on June 24, 2025.
Salamanca completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Rafael Salamanca Jr. was born in New York. He earned a high school diploma from Alfred E. Smith High School and an associate degree from Monroe University. His career experience includes working as a public servant.[1]
Elections
2025
See also: Municipal elections in Bronx County, New York (2025)
General election
The candidate list in this election may not be complete.
General election for Bronx Borough President
Incumbent Vanessa Gibson and Grace Marrero are running in the general election for Bronx Borough President on November 4, 2025.
Candidate | ||
 | Vanessa Gibson (D / Working Families Party) | |
 | Grace Marrero (R / Conservative Party) | |
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 = 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 for Bronx Borough President
The following candidates advanced in the ranked-choice voting election: Vanessa Gibson in round 1 .
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Total votes: 104,921 |
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| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican Primary for Bronx Borough President
The following candidates advanced in the ranked-choice voting election: Grace Marrero in round 1 .
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| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
Conservative Party primary election
Conservative Primary for Bronx Borough President
The following candidates advanced in the ranked-choice voting election: Grace Marrero in round 1 .
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| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
Working Families Party primary election
Working Families Primary for Bronx Borough President
The following candidates advanced in the ranked-choice voting election: Vanessa Gibson in round 1 .
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| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
Endorsements
To view Salamanca's endorsements as published by their campaign, click here. To send us an endorsement, click here.
2023
See also: City elections in New York, New York (2023)
General election
General election for New York City Council District 17
Incumbent Rafael Salamanca Jr. defeated Rosaline Nieves and Gonzalo Duran in the general election for New York City Council District 17 on November 7, 2023.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Rafael Salamanca Jr. (D) | 84.8 | 3,693 |
| Rosaline Nieves (R) | 10.6 | 461 | ||
 | Gonzalo Duran (Conservative Party) | 4.2 | 182 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.5 | 20 | ||
| Total votes: 4,356 | |||
| = 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 for New York City Council District 17
The following candidates advanced in the ranked-choice voting election: Rafael Salamanca Jr. in round 1 .
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| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Gonzalo Duran (D)
Republican primary election
Republican Primary for New York City Council District 17
The following candidates advanced in the ranked-choice voting election: Rosaline Nieves in round 1 .
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| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
Conservative Party primary election
Conservative Primary for New York City Council District 17
The following candidates advanced in the ranked-choice voting election: Gonzalo Duran in round 1 .
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| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
Endorsements
Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Salamanca in this election.
2021
See also: City elections in New York, New York (2021)
General election
General election for New York City Council District 17
Incumbent Rafael Salamanca Jr. defeated Jose A. Colon and Lattina Brown in the general election for New York City Council District 17 on November 2, 2021.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Rafael Salamanca Jr. (D) | 80.3 | 8,729 |
| Jose A. Colon (R) | 10.7 | 1,167 | ||
 | Lattina Brown (Black Women Lead Party) | 8.9 | 964 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.2 | 17 | ||
| Total votes: 10,877 | |||
| = 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 for New York City Council District 17
The following candidates advanced in the ranked-choice voting election: Rafael Salamanca Jr. in round 1 .
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Total votes: 9,049 |
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| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
Republican primary election
The Republican primary election was canceled. Jose A. Colon advanced from the Republican primary for New York City Council District 17.
2017
New York City held elections for mayor, public advocate, comptroller, and all 51 seats on the city council in 2017. New Yorkers also voted for offices in their boroughs: The Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island.
Primary elections were scheduled for September 12, 2017, and the general election was on November 7, 2017. Under New York law, candidates who run unopposed in a primary or general election win the nomination or election automatically, and their names do not appear on the ballot.[2] Incumbent Rafael Salamanca (D) defeated Patrick Delices (R), Oswald Denis (Conservative), and Elvis Santana (Empower Society) in the general election for the District 17 seat on the New York City Council.
| New York City Council, District 17 General Election, 2017 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic |  Rafael Salamanca Incumbent |
92.26% | 11,512 | |
| Republican | Patrick Delices | 3.47% | 433 | |
| Conservative | Oswald Denis | 2.26% | 282 | |
| Empower Society | Elvis Santana | 1.81% | 226 | |
| Write-in votes | 0.2% | 25 | ||
| Total Votes | 12,478 | |||
| Source: New York City Board of Elections, "2017 General Certified Election Results," November 28, 2017 | ||||
Incumbent Rafael Salamanca defeated Helen Hines in the Democratic primary election for the District 17 seat on the New York City Council.[3]
| New York City Council, District 17 Democratic Primary Election, 2017 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
| Rafael Salamanca Incumbent |
72.17% | 4,840 |
| Helen Hines | 27.36% | 1,835 |
| Write-in votes | 0.46% | 31 |
| Total Votes | 6,706 | |
| Source: New York City Board of Elections, "2017 Primary: Certified Results," accessed September 28, 2017 | ||
2016
The city of New York, New York, held a special election for District 17 of the city council on February 23, 2016. Maria del Carmen Arroyo, who previously held the position, resigned from the council on December 31, 2015. The winner of the 2016 special election served a term that expired on December 31, 2016. The following candidates ran in the New York City Council District 17 special election.[4]
| New York City Council District 17, Special Election, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
| Rafael Salamanca Jr. |
39.12% | 1,455 |
| George Alvarez | 24.25% | 902 |
| Julio Pabon | 15.11% | 562 |
| J. Loren Russell | 10.84% | 403 |
| Joann Otero | 7.13% | 265 |
| Marlon Molina | 3.09% | 115 |
| Write-in votes | 0.46% | 17 |
| Total Votes | 3,719 | |
| Source: New York City Board of Elections, "Certified Results Special Election 17th Council," March 8, 2016 | ||
Campaign themes
2025
Video for Ballotpedia
| Video submitted to Ballotpedia Released May 21, 2025 |
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Rafael Salamanca Jr. completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Salamanca's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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As Chair of the Council’s powerful Land Use Committee, Rafael made affordable housing a top priority—delivering thousands of new homes for families, seniors, and veterans. He’s secured over $400 million in capital investments to improve schools, build parks, and create good-paying jobs across the borough. And with the rebuilding of the Hunts Point Produce Market, he’s bringing even more opportunity to working families.
For Rafael, this work is personal. He knows what it means to live here, to raise kids here, and to want something better for the next generation—safer streets, stronger schools, and a borough that works for the people who call it home.
Now, Rafael is running for Bronx Borough President with a clear mission: to manage this borough like it matters. With a track record of real results and deep community roots, he’s ready to keep fighting—and delivering—for the Bronx.- Our borough is being mismanaged—and it shows. From unsafe streets to unresponsive city services, Bronx families are being let down. I’m running to bring real leadership to Borough Hall: someone who will roll up their sleeves, coordinate across agencies, and make sure every corner of the Bronx gets the attention it deserves. The Bronx needs a manager, not a figurehead.
- Fighting for a Safer, Stronger, More Affordable Bronx. I’ve spent my career delivering for the Bronx—because I live here, I raise my family here, and I know what’s at stake. I’m fighting for safer streets with better lighting and more NYPD cameras. I’m fighting for stronger neighborhoods with investments in schools, parks, and youth programs. And I’m fighting for real affordability—housing our families can actually afford and local jobs that pay a fair wage. This campaign is about making the Bronx work for the people who built it.
- A Lifelong Bronxite Who Delivers. I’m not new to the Bronx—and I’m not new to the fight. Born and raised here, I’ve dedicated my career to serving this borough at every level—from healthcare to community boards to City Hall. I know our neighborhoods, I know our challenges, and I know how to get results. I’ve delivered thousands of affordable homes, secured over $400 million in investments, and fought every day for the dignity and needs of Bronx families. This isn’t a job to me—it’s personal.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
2023
Rafael Salamanca Jr. did not complete Ballotpedia's 2023 Candidate Connection survey.
2021
Rafael Salamanca Jr. did not complete Ballotpedia's 2021 Candidate Connection survey.
2016
Salamanca's campaign website highlighted the following campaign themes:[5]
Quality of life
- Excerpt: "I’ve made fighting to improve our quality of life in the Bronx a hallmark of my work as District Manager of Community Board 2. We have worked to increase access to transportation by getting the Bx46 bus line; improved safety for pedestrians and motorists at Bruckner Blvd; made Hunts Points safer by shutting down all five topless establishments; moved Community Precinct Council meetings out into the community and increased transparency in community-police relations; and worked to lower car and homeowner insurance for local families by removing Rikers Island statistics from our local precinct’s reports."
Economic development
- Excerpt: "With a construction boom on the waterfront in the South Bronx happening today, we need to ensure the jobs surrounding those projects are given to those in the community, and that they are that these workers are provided with opportunities to organize and collectively bargain."
Education
- Excerpt: "As a Council Member, I would be a strong advocate for public education and would actively work with principals and teachers to identify additional resources, and help increase parent involvement in and out of the classroom."
See also
2025 Elections
External links
|
Candidate Bronx Borough President |
Officeholder New York City Council District 17 |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on May 26, 2025
- ↑ New York Election Law, "Sec 6-160. Primaries," accessed July 14, 2017
- ↑ Ballotpedia staff, "Email correspondence with the New York City Board of Elections," July 14, 2017
- ↑ New York City Board of Elections, "Special Election 17th Council Candidate List," January 20, 2016
- ↑ Rafael Salamanca official campaign website, "Issues," accessed February 9, 2016
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Succeeded by - |
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