Crowded Field in Bronx Race to Fill Ruben Díaz Sr’s Council Seat

The race for the 18th City Council District seat, which covers Soundview, Castle Hill, Parkchester, Clason Point and Harding Park neighborhoods in the Bronx, has a little bit of everything: familiar faces and newcomers, a significant amount of cash — with more than $800,000 in contributions — and eight Democratic candidates to choose from.

The eight Democratic candidates are Michael Beltzer, Amanda Farías, Darlene Jackson, Eliú Lara, William Moore, Mohammed Mujumder, Mirza Rashid, and William Rivera. Lara and Mujumder have donated to past campaigns by the outgoing incumbent, Ruben Díaz Sr., who has represented the Bronx in the City Council and state legislature for nearly two decades. Rivera has donated previously to Bronx Borough President Ruben Díaz Jr., the current councilman’s son, who has served as beep since 2009 and ran for mayor before dropping out of the race in August.

Both Díaz Sr. and Díaz Jr. have said they are retiring from politics after their current terms end later this year.