In 2017, 27-year-old Amanda Farias tried to topple popular career politician Ruben Diaz Sr. for a seat on the City Council in the 18th District. Although she lost that primary race, Farias wasn’t ready to quit.
In 2021, the chips fell in her favor.
Diaz Sr. declined to run and Farias seized on the opportunity. Even though Diaz Sr., and his son, Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. backed Community Board 9 District Manager William Rivera in an eight-person Democratic primary, it was Farias — by less than a 1% margin — who was victorious on June 22.
