Rep. Ritchie Torres endorsed by over a dozen Bronx elected officials

Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News on Feb 17, 2026

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NEW YORK — Democratic Rep. Ritchie Torres netted the support of a slew of Bronx elected officials on Tuesday as he seeks reelection.

Congressman Adriano Espaillat, Assembly leader Carl Heastie, state Sen. Jamaal Bailey, Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson and nearly a dozen other city and state Democratic officials were set to endorse Torres.

“Ritchie and I work closely together in Washington, and I see firsthand how seriously he takes the job,” Espaillat said in a statement shared with the Daily News. “He is deeply engaged on policy and relentless in advocating for the Bronx.”

Torres is facing primary challenges from former state lawmaker and mayoral candidate Michael Blake and DSA organizer Dalourny Nemorin.

He’s been an outspoken supporter of Israel — an issue that has sowed division among Democrats, especially during the war on Gaza.

Democrats are both fighting to take back control of the House while progressives and socialists are also pushing for more control in Congress.

The moderate Democrat representative was previously angling to challenge Gov. Hochul but instead chose to run for reelection for the seat.

Torres has served in Congress since 2021.

Assembly members George Alvarez, Landon Dais, Jeffrey Dinowitz, Chantel Jackson and John Zaccaro and Council members Eric Dinowitz, Oswald Feliz, Kevin Riley, Pierina Sanchez, Justin Sanchez and Althea Stevens all threw their support behind Torres.

Not on the list of endorsers was Assemblywoman Amanda Septimo, who was going to attempt to oust Torres before dropping her congressional campaign after getting a lupus diagnosis.