City Councilman Fernando Cabrera (D-Bronx) has begun his bid to be the Democratic candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives in District 14.
There is, however, a major obstacle. He has to overcome U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-Sunnyside, Astoria, College Point, East Elmhurst, Jackson Heights, Corona, Woodside, The Bronx), known by her initials AOC and who has quickly become an icon for the left, pushing a progressive agenda and making a name for herself in Congress.
Cabrera affirms that he is not daunted by this challenge. He has served the 14th District in the Bronx since 2010 and wants to take his ideas to the federal level.
“We are very encouraged by the response we are getting from the communities,” he stated. He and his campaign feel confident in themselves and in the support they will receive from constituents.
A major component of this confidence comes from the belief that he represents the values of those in the district better than others, appealing to moderates and those on the right-leaning voters, who his opponent has alienated.
He believes that he brings something to the table that none of his opponents have; experience.
“I have the most experience out of anybody who’s running right now,” he claims. “As a matter of fact if you were to put all of the candidates, both Democrats and Republicans put together, they don’t even come close to the amount of years I have worked in government and also in the community.”
“I have the track record, I’ve passed 34 bills and resolutions,” he went on to say. The legislation he has passed includes the School Environmental Bill, Tenant Bill of Rights, and various others. Cabrera estimates that he brought in close to $250 million to his district.
When speaking about the incumbent he claims Ocasio-Cortez is not a “team player.”
“She is never going to be able to get funding into the district because she is not liked, she is very contentious,” he explained. He pledges to cross the aisle and get legislation done.
He also expressed frustration that she does not have an office in the Bronx, saying “it just shows you where her heart is at.”
If he wins the primary and general election he plans on carrying out numerous initiatives. First off he would extend his Cure Violence program, an initiative that handles gun control in areas that have been burdened by the epidemic. His goal would be to invest $1 billion into communities plagued by gun violence.
Next would be job development, something he is no stranger to. He claims to have lowered unemployment in his district from 20% to 5%. He would also work toward keeping companies and people from leaving New York state.
In regards to affordable healthcare, he supports the Biden plan with a public option.
He proclaimed his vehement opposition to the Green New Deal offering an alternative of investing $30 billion into IARPA, a federal agency that focuses on researching environmental technology.
The Democratic Primary is set for June 23, 2020.
