In her first bid for public office last November, longtime community member and school teacher Phyllis Nastasio came away encouraged by the result of her race for the state’s then-vacant 80th Assembly District. Nastasio, a Republican, garnered just above 30% of the vote against eventual winner John Zaccaro Jr., a Democrat, but views that threshold as a sign of progress for a GOP candidate running against a distinct Democratic voter registration advantage.
With momentum from that race and a perception that incumbent District 13 City Councilmember Marjorie Velázquez — who represents areas in the East Bronx like Throggs Neck, Morris Park, Pelham Bay and Country Club — is vulnerable in her bid for reelection this year, Nastasio has entered her name into a rapidly growing Republican primary for the seat.
