Bronx district leader Yves Filius could be tapped to replace Latoya Joyner in Assembly

It’s only been a day since incumbent Assembly Member Latoya Joyner abruptly announced her resignation, and Bronx politicos are already discussing who might replace her. Multiple sources familiar with the ongoing discussions told City & State that the current frontrunner is Yves Filius, who’s currently the male district leader for the 77th Assembly District – the same district that Joyner represents.

Filius confirmed to City & State that he is interested in running for Joyner’s Assembly seat and said he has had informal discussions with members of the Bronx Democratic Party and elected officials in the borough – though he cautioned that he has not yet secured the county party’s support.

“Representation matters. This is a community that has great leadership,” Filius said. “This is a very steadfast and very strong district. I acknowledge and understand the history of this district, and I would be honored – if the opportunity presents itself – to represent it in the state Legislature.”

Filius has close ties to Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson and the Bronx Democratic Party. He worked as Gibson’s director of community outreach while she was in the Assembly and then went on to become political director of the Bronx Democratic Party. He currently works as a government relations strategist at the New York Civil Liberties Union. In October, the New York City Council’s Bronx delegation voted to recommend Filius for appointment to the Taxi and Limousine Commission.

The special election to replace Joyner will likely be held in April, though the Bronx Democratic Party is expected to settle on a nominee very quickly, possibly as soon as next week.

Gibson told City & State that she has not yet spoken with Filius or any other potential candidates about the special election. “I haven’t heard from any potential contenders at this time but the 77th Assembly District has been an important part of my political career and I look forward to having conversations with any candidates interested in leading this district with the same commitment and leadership that our outgoing Assemblywoman Latoya Joyner has done successfully for nearly ten years,” she said in a statement.

Although Filius seems to be the current frontrunner, there are currently two factors working against him. 

The first is the desire among some in the party to replace Joyner with a woman of color. Since 1982, the 77th Assembly District has been represented in the Assembly by a succession of Black women: first Aurelia Greene, then Gibson and finally Joyner. 

Another concern is Filius’ poor performance when he ran for an open City Council seat in 2021, his first electoral campaign. Filius received just 8% of the vote in the Democratic primary and was soundly defeated by Althea Stevens, who had the backing of the county party.