I was born and raised in the Belmont section of the Bronx, the son of a single mother who immigrated from El Salvador in pursuit of a better life. We were raised on public assistance, but my mother’s determination instilled in me resilience, responsibility, and a deep commitment to service. Those values continue to guide my work today.

Gonzalo Duran — Autobiography

In 2014, I graduated from Fordham University with a Bachelor of Science in Health Science. I went on to serve the community through roles at the Bronx Veterans Affairs office and the Bronx Labor Department.

I served eight years on active duty, attained the rank of Sergeant, and deployed to Iraq in 2008. The Marine Corps instilled discipline, leadership, and a profound sense of duty. Upon returning home in 2011, I faced the difficult transition many veterans experience. While raising two children as a devoted father, I encountered periods of homelessness and employment instability.

Gonzalo Duran was born and raised in the Belmont section of the Bronx. He earned a Bachelor of Science in health science from Fordham University. Gonzalo is a father of two.

In 2013, I founded Devil Dog USA Incorporated to advocate for veterans and working families in the Bronx. As Chief Executive Officer, I have led initiatives focused on mental health awareness, suicide prevention, workforce development, and combating homelessness. Our advocacy contributed to the passage of New York City Local Law 119 in 2017, recognizing the GI Bill as lawful income for veterans seeking housing.

In 2014, I graduated from Fordham University with a Bachelor of Science in Health Science. I went on to serve the community through roles at the Bronx Veterans Affairs office and the Bronx Labor Department. During this time, I became increasingly aware of systems that managed problems rather than solving them.

I served eight years on active duty, attained the rank of Sergeant, and deployed to Iraq in 2008. The Marine Corps instilled discipline, leadership, and a profound sense of duty. Upon returning home in 2011, I faced the difficult transition many veterans experience.

Gonzalo Duran is the founder and chief executive officer of Devil Dog USA Incorporated. He previously served in roles at the Bronx Veterans Affairs office and the Bronx Labor Department. He served as a sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps for eight years.

Gonzalo is the founder and chief executive officer of Devil Dog USA Incorporated. He previously served in roles at the Bronx Veterans Affairs office and the Bronx Labor Department. He served as a sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps for eight years.

PROJECTED WINNER
RITCHIE TORRES WINS NEW YORK'S 15TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT
Candidate	Party	Votes	Percentage
Ritchie Torres	Incumbent	D	76.5%
Gonzalo Duran	R	21.1%
Jose Vega	I	2.4%
Total	170,488	100% expected votes in

New York House District 15 General Election Results 2024

Gonzalo previously ran for U.S. representative in New York’s 15th Congressional District in 2024, but did not win.

New York House District 15 Election 2024 Live Results - NBC News

2026 New York General Election

The AMI for all cities across the country is defined each year by HUD. The 2023 AMI for the New York City region is $127,100 for a three-person family (100% AMI). Given NY-15 is among the poorest boroughs in the country, we asked Duran, if elected, what he would do to make the AMI rates fairer for NY-15 residents.

“You would have to change the AMI,” Duran said. “The numbers they’re getting, it’s not just from New York City, it’s from other incorporated areas, so that’s why it’s increased. Could we change the AMI? I think it’s possible. It’s not going to be an easy thing, and not a lot of people want to change it because of the housing developers and the lobbyists and the special interest groups.”

Update Elections 2024: Gonzalo Duran on Transparency, Accountability & Leadership

Too many recent jobs that have become available to Bronx residents are low-wage jobs that do not allow for growth. Gonzalo believes that there needs to be a focus on providing employment that allows for growth and to be treated as a career.

EMPLOYMENT

Instead of giving tax breaks to corporations, they should be given to local businesses along with a participating role in the communities’ Business Improvement District (BID) and other neighborhood business associations.

Gonzalo plans to fight hard against these trends.

Add in stronger regulations directed towards developers when building housing.
Give residents a stronger voice in new housing developments as well as giving priority to current residents in need of affordable housing.

HOUSING

Add in stronger regulations directed towards developers when building housing.
Give residents a stronger voice in new housing developments as well as giving priority to current residents in need of affordable housing.
Encourage landlords to cap rent at an affordable level. Build stronger legislation to protect residents from landlords who drastically raise the rent.

Give residents a stronger voice in new housing developments as well as giving priority to current residents in need of affordable housing.
Encourage landlords to cap rent at an affordable level. Build stronger legislation to protect residents from landlords who drastically raise the rent.

Build stronger legislation to protect residents from landlords who drastically raise the rent.
Protect the rights and needs of senior and disabled tenants. Ensure that all apartment buildings and NYCHA housing comply with the regulations that ensure the safety of the disabled and senior population.

Said changing the area median income calculation used for New York City housing may be possible.

Supports jobs that offer opportunities for growth and career advancement.

Supports providing tax breaks to local businesses rather than corporations.

Proposes stronger regulations for housing developers.

Supports giving residents more input in housing developments and prioritizing current residents who need affordable housing.

Supports encouraging affordable rent caps and stronger protections against large rent increases.

Supports tenant protections, accessibility, and safety compliance for senior and disabled residents in apartments and New York City Housing Authority housing.

- Said changing the area median income calculation used for New York City housing may be possible.
- Supports jobs that offer opportunities for growth and career advancement.
- Supports providing tax breaks to local businesses rather than corporations.
- Proposes stronger regulations for housing developers.
- Supports giving residents more input in housing developments and prioritizing current residents who need affordable housing.
- Supports encouraging affordable rent caps and stronger protections against large rent increases.
- Supports tenant protections, accessibility, and safety compliance for senior and disabled residents in apartments and New York City Housing Authority housing.

Economy

On public safety, he said he would vote for stricter conservative judges. He said the mayor informed him that there were around 519 individuals who were committing the same continuous crimes in New York City and that when police go to local community meetings, they can’t be political and complain about judges being soft on repeat offenders.

“I want to be harder on crime. I can’t change the bail reform, but if I could, that’s something I would work on,” Duran said.

As Councilman, Gonzalo knows that while there is a need to increase the NYPD workforce, this is only one part of the solution.

Increase the amount of NYPD and surveillance to areas with high crime rates.
Bring back cops to ‘walk the beat’ so that they get to know the individuals in the area they patrol.
Create and implement youth programs to foster a relationship between police and community members.

SAFETY

Increase the amount of NYPD and surveillance to areas with high crime rates.
Bring back cops to ‘walk the beat’ so that they get to know the individuals in the area they patrol.
Create and implement youth programs to foster a relationship between police and community members.
Encourage non-profits to provide safe spaces for youth in the area so that they can have a safe place to go to after school.

Bring back cops to ‘walk the beat’ so that they get to know the individuals in the area they patrol.
Create and implement youth programs to foster a relationship between police and community members.
Encourage non-profits to provide safe spaces for youth in the area so that they can have a safe place to go to after school.
Open up communication between the police and community members through forums and town halls.

Create and implement youth programs to foster a relationship between police and community members.
Encourage non-profits to provide safe spaces for youth in the area so that they can have a safe place to go to after school.
Open up communication between the police and community members through forums and town halls.

Said he would work to change bail reform if he had the authority.

Supports increasing New York Police Department staffing and surveillance in high-crime areas.

Supports assigning police officers to foot patrols to build familiarity with the communities they serve.

Supports youth programs to build police-community relationships and nonprofit safe spaces for young people after school.

Supports police-community forums and town halls.

- Said he would work to change bail reform if he had the authority.
- Supports increasing New York Police Department staffing and surveillance in high-crime areas.
- Supports assigning police officers to foot patrols to build familiarity with the communities they serve.
- Supports youth programs to build police-community relationships and nonprofit safe spaces for young people after school.
- Supports police-community forums and town halls.

Public Safety

Ways to help increase Bronx resident’s health:

Bring in more green / farmer markets while putting aside more funding for vouchers (Health Bucks for SNAP/EBT) to those on public assistance so that they can have more access to healthier foods.
Limit the number of fast food restaurants that over-populate disadvantaged areas.
Start education on healthy living by bringing in educational programs to schools like cooking and nutritional based classes.

HEALTH

Bring in more green / farmer markets while putting aside more funding for vouchers (Health Bucks for SNAP/EBT) to those on public assistance so that they can have more access to healthier foods.
Limit the number of fast food restaurants that over-populate disadvantaged areas.
Start education on healthy living by bringing in educational programs to schools like cooking and nutritional based classes. Support programs already established, such as the Green City Force program that teaches NYCHA residents to farm in their own complexes.

Limit the number of fast food restaurants that over-populate disadvantaged areas.
Start education on healthy living by bringing in educational programs to schools like cooking and nutritional based classes. Support programs already established, such as the Green City Force program that teaches NYCHA residents to farm in their own complexes.
Locate areas that are “food deserts” (neighborhoods that have little access to healthy foods) to deny bids by fast food corporations who want to add new store fronts while giving priority to supermarkets that promise to provide the neighborhood with healthy, affordable food.

Support programs already established, such as the Green City Force program that teaches NYCHA residents to farm in their own complexes. Locate areas that are “food deserts” (neighborhoods that have little access to healthy foods) to deny bids by fast food corporations who want to add new store fronts while giving priority to supermarkets that promise to provide the neighborhood with healthy, affordable food.

Supports more farmers' markets and food vouchers for people receiving public assistance.

Supports limiting the number of fast-food restaurants in disadvantaged areas.

Supports school-based cooking and nutrition education and the Green City Force program.

Supports denying fast-food bids in areas with limited access to food while prioritizing supermarkets offering healthy, affordable food.

- Supports more farmers' markets and food vouchers for people receiving public assistance.
- Supports limiting the number of fast-food restaurants in disadvantaged areas.
- Supports school-based cooking and nutrition education and the Green City Force program.
- Supports denying fast-food bids in areas with limited access to food while prioritizing supermarkets offering healthy, affordable food.

Healthcare

As reported, Fordham University was tasked with managing and distributing subgrants to community groups working to tackle climate change issues in New York and some other U.S. jurisdictions. Referring to those groups, Duran said, “I would have given them the money instead. I want the grassroots organizations, the ones that are feeling and facing those problems right now, to have the funding to make those actions and push forward.”

As Councilman, Gonzalo believes we should keep The Bronx green by:

Put into law the increased access to waterfront land and green space for all Bronx residents. Improve current green spaces, like parks, and encourage the formation of more community gardens.
Through programs like Partnerships for Parks, the surrounding Botanical Gardens and Bronx River can serve as opportunities for learning through educational classes aimed to teach school children about ways to take care of the environment.

ENVIRONMENT

These classes can also extend to adults and families through nutritional education and agricultural development of land (i.e. in community gardens or by transforming empty lots into gardens). Encourage schools to add in environmental awareness to their curriculum so that the younger generation can understand the impacts we have on the environment, how to take care of it, and ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle. Secure funding for our parks that have been neglected or overlooked in obtaining updated equipment or necessary repairs.

Encourage schools to add in environmental awareness to their curriculum so that the younger generation can understand the impacts we have on the environment, how to take care of it, and ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle. Secure funding for our parks that have been neglected or overlooked in obtaining updated equipment or necessary repairs. Additionally, make parks safer so that the community can feel comfortable bringing their families to parks.

Said grassroots organizations addressing climate change should receive funding directly.

Proposes expanding access to waterfronts and green space, improving parks, and encouraging community gardens in the Bronx.

Supports adding environmental awareness, recycling, and reuse instruction to school curricula.

Supports funding park repairs and equipment upgrades and improving park safety.

- Said grassroots organizations addressing climate change should receive funding directly.
- Proposes expanding access to waterfronts and green space, improving parks, and encouraging community gardens in the Bronx.
- Supports adding environmental awareness, recycling, and reuse instruction to school curricula.
- Supports funding park repairs and equipment upgrades and improving park safety.

Energy & the Environment

We asked Duran if he supported the PACT program. “I’ve got a lot of complaints from the people on that, so as a congressman, I would want to review those complaints,” he said. “The numbers are high but why wait until something big happens to review it? Why not do it now? Have the congressional inquiry now. I want to face them, and if I was in that position, I could do that more easily.” He said all he can do right now is help people input 311 complaints or raise some media attention about them.

Duran said he would hold inquiries as much as possible, if elected, to ask where foreign aid was going. “When it comes to the federal military, I don’t want to lower their budget unless it’s necessary,” he said. “I want to see where the money is being spent.” We said the majority appears to go on military contracts. “Yes, the bulk of it is for that,” he said. “The other part is for the veterans, and that’s a different situation. But when it comes to the military, I want to keep a controlled government. If we can’t find a plane, somebody needs to get fired.”

Plans to seek a congressional inquiry into complaints about the PACT program.

Wants to review federal military spending before deciding whether budget reductions are necessary.

- Plans to seek a congressional inquiry into complaints about the PACT program.
- Wants to review federal military spending before deciding whether budget reductions are necessary.

Foreign Policy and Immigration

“One of the biggest problems is identification for voting,” he said. “I would like to implement that individuals have to have re-registered and also identification for people to vote because I’ve walked into places, and you can walk in and pretty much vote.” We put it to Duran that only those who are registered and have received a voting pack can vote. Though he didn’t specify exactly where, he said, “I’ve been in there (in Bronx polling sites) and they didn’t ask for ID. You just say your name, and then they go off a letter, and then you sign, and then you walk in. It’s just as easy as that.”

Actively keep the public abreast on proposed policies through better engagement with constituents and cooperation with all political parties.
One of Gonzalo’s goals is to have more residents registered to vote, apply for public positions and increase participation in community boards.

CIVIL ENGAGEMENT

Actively keep the public abreast on proposed policies through better engagement with constituents and cooperation with all political parties.
One of Gonzalo’s goals is to have more residents registered to vote, apply for public positions and increase participation in community boards.
Continue Participatory Budgeting so that residents can vote on how their tax dollars are spent and increase the participation of the community members.

One of Gonzalo’s goals is to have more residents registered to vote, apply for public positions and increase participation in community boards.
Continue Participatory Budgeting so that residents can vote on how their tax dollars are spent and increase the participation of the community members.

Supports requiring voters to re-register and show identification before voting.

Supports improving constituent engagement and cooperation among political parties on proposed policies.

Wants more residents to register to vote, apply for public positions, and participate in community boards.

Supports participatory budgeting, allowing residents to vote on how tax dollars are spent.

- Supports requiring voters to re-register and show identification before voting.
- Supports improving constituent engagement and cooperation among political parties on proposed policies.
- Wants more residents to register to vote, apply for public positions, and participate in community boards.
- Supports participatory budgeting, allowing residents to vote on how tax dollars are spent.

Voting & Elections

We have a huge problem when our children reach the high school and college level that is rarely discussed. Each one is failing to prepare students for the other. We try to correct this by throwing money at the problem, creating only more problems because there is a disproportion of those getting the funds compared to the ones who need it. Upper management wastes spending or poorly manages it. Gonzalo believes that improvements are needed along with stronger oversight on the funds distributed.

EDUCATION

There are many programs through non-profits which are overlooked by the city, these can be integrated into the educational system as supplemental for learning and to add towards after school programming.
Class sizes are important and should be kept at a reasonable level.
There should be a decreased emphasis on standardized testing. Standardized testing has taken over the curriculum where learning is heavily interrupted. Failing to accurately assess the quality of education, these tests only end up leaving both students and teachers anxious and frustrated.

Supports improvements in high school and college preparation and stronger oversight of education funding.

Supports integrating nonprofit programs into schools for supplemental learning and after-school programming.

Supports maintaining reasonable class sizes.

Supports reducing the emphasis on standardized testing.

- Supports improvements in high school and college preparation and stronger oversight of education funding.
- Supports integrating nonprofit programs into schools for supplemental learning and after-school programming.
- Supports maintaining reasonable class sizes.
- Supports reducing the emphasis on standardized testing.

Education

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Gonzalo Duran

- Supports jobs that offer opportunities for growth and career advancement.
- Supports providing tax breaks to local businesses rather than corporations.
- Proposes stronger regulations for housing developers.
- Supports giving residents more input in housing developments and prioritizing current residents who need affordable housing.
- Supports encouraging affordable rent caps and stronger protections against large rent increases.
- Supports tenant protections, accessibility, and safety compliance for senior and disabled residents in apartments and New York City Housing Authority housing.

- Supports increasing New York Police Department staffing and surveillance in high-crime areas.
- Supports assigning police officers to foot patrols to build familiarity with the communities they serve.
- Supports youth programs to build police-community relationships and nonprofit safe spaces for young people after school.
- Supports police-community forums and town halls.

- Proposes expanding access to waterfronts and green space, improving parks, and encouraging community gardens in the Bronx.
- Supports adding environmental awareness, recycling, and reuse instruction to school curricula.
- Supports funding park repairs and equipment upgrades and improving park safety.

- Supports improving constituent engagement and cooperation among political parties on proposed policies.
- Wants more residents to register to vote, apply for public positions, and participate in community boards.
- Supports participatory budgeting, allowing residents to vote on how tax dollars are spent.

YouTube

I was born and raised in the Belmont section of the Bronx, the son of a single mother who immigrated from El Salvador in pursuit of a better life. We were raised on public assistance, but my mother’s determination instilled in me resilience, responsibility, and a deep commitment to service.

Gonzalo Duran Autobiography - Gonzalo Duran

I graduated from DeWitt Clinton High School in 2003, where I remained actively engaged in both school and community life. I competed in wrestling, volunteered with the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, worked at a local supermarket, and pursued early college coursework, including zoology studies at the Bronx Zoo.

Gonzalo Duran was born and raised in the Belmont section of the Bronx. He earned a Bachelor of Science in health science from Fordham University and volunteered with the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

I served eight years on active duty, attained the rank of Sergeant, and deployed to Iraq in 2008. The Marine Corps instilled discipline, leadership, and a profound sense of duty.

Gonzalo is the chief executive officer of Devil Dog USA Incorporated. He previously held roles at the Bronx Veterans Affairs office and the Bronx Labor Department, and served as a sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps for eight years.

The race in New York's 15th Congressional District is between Democrat Ritchie Torres, the incumbent, and Republican Gonzalo Duran.

RESULTS

PROJECTED WINNER
RITCHIE TORRES WINS NEW YORK'S 15TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT
Candidate	Party	Votes	Percentage
Ritchie Torres	Incumbent	D	76.5%
Gonzalo Duran	R	21.1%

New York U.S. House District 15 Results 2024 - NBC News

Gonzalo previously ran in New York's 15th Congressional District race in 2024 but did not win.

Advocates for jobs that offer workers career growth.

Proposes directing tax breaks to local businesses rather than corporations and involving local businesses in local business associations.

Proposes increasing New York Police Department staffing and surveillance in high-crime areas.

Proposes neighborhood foot patrols, youth programs, and police-community forums and town halls.

Said he would pursue changes to bail reform if possible.

Proposes more farmers’ markets and Health Bucks vouchers for people receiving public assistance.

Supports limiting fast-food restaurants in disadvantaged areas and prioritizing supermarkets offering healthy, affordable food in areas with few or no supermarkets.

Supports school healthy-living classes and the Green City Force farming program for New York City Housing Authority residents.

Proposes increasing access to waterfront land and green space, improving parks, and encouraging community gardens.

Supports environmental-awareness instruction in schools, including lessons on reducing, reusing, and recycling.

Today, New York City finds itself at the epicenter of a growing crisis. The current administration invited this burden without a long-term plan, and now it is our residents who are left to carry the weight. We must take decisive action—but with humanity, strategy, and respect for the foundational values of our republic. I support President Donald Trump’s bold stance on restoring order and addressing illegal immigration. Law and order must be preserved. However, I urge our leaders—at every level—to remember: no matter your immigration status, if you are living in New York City, you have rights.

Protecting the People, Honoring the Law: Gonzalo Duran Outlines a Path Forward on Immigration in NYC - Gonzalo Duran

Let me be clear: I fully support the immediate deportation of violent criminals, gang members, and those who pose a direct threat to the safety and well-being of our communities. That is non-negotiable. Protecting our neighborhoods, restoring accountability, and relieving the crushing burden on our taxpayers must be our priority.

However, I stand firmly against aggressive immigration enforcement actions at courthouses, hospitals, schools, workplaces, and houses of worship. These are sacred spaces in a democratic society. Fear should not silence voices seeking justice, healing, or an honest day’s work.

There is a way forward—one that is lawful, measured, and rooted in both American values and New York grit. Our city must work with federal agencies to identify bad actors, while ensuring that we do not erode the dignity or rights of those contributing positively to our communities.

I support the President’s intention. I do not, however, support tactics that create chaos, violate due process, or make honest families feel hunted. Immigration reform must come with strength, but also with the wisdom to know when strength becomes overreach.

Supports President Donald Trump’s approach to immigration enforcement and restoring order.

Supports immediate deportation of violent criminals, gang members, and people who pose a direct community-safety threat.

Opposes aggressive immigration-enforcement actions at courthouses, hospitals, schools, workplaces, and houses of worship.

Calls for cooperation with federal agencies to identify “bad actors” while protecting the rights and dignity of other immigrants.

Opposes immigration-enforcement tactics that create chaos, violate due process, or make “honest families feel hunted.”

- Supports President Donald Trump’s approach to immigration enforcement and restoring order.
- Supports immediate deportation of violent criminals, gang members, and people who pose a direct community-safety threat.
- Opposes aggressive immigration-enforcement actions at courthouses, hospitals, schools, workplaces, and houses of worship.
- Calls for cooperation with federal agencies to identify “bad actors” while protecting the rights and dignity of other immigrants.
- Opposes immigration-enforcement tactics that create chaos, violate due process, or make “honest families feel hunted.”

Plans to hold a town hall in each neighborhood and provide more information about proposed policies by engaging with constituents.

Wants to increase voter registration, applications for public positions, community-board participation, and participatory budgeting.

Supports requiring voters to re-register and present identification to vote.

Calls for stronger oversight of education funds and improvements in high school and college preparation.

Supports maintaining reasonable class sizes and reducing emphasis on standardized testing.

Advocates for career-oriented jobs that provide opportunities for growth rather than low-wage work.

Supports directing tax breaks to local businesses instead of corporations and involving them in neighborhood business associations.

Supports increasing New York Police Department presence and surveillance in high-crime areas.

Supports returning police officers to neighborhood foot patrols.

Proposes youth programs to strengthen relationships between police and community members.

Encourages nonprofits to provide safe after-school spaces for youth.

Said he would work to change bail reform and be "harder on crime."

Proposes stronger penalties for animal cruelty and timely updates to the Animal Abuse Registry.

Proposes expanding farmers' markets and funding Health Bucks vouchers for people receiving public assistance.

Supports school-based cooking and nutrition education and the Green City Force program for New York City Housing Authority residents.

Proposes denying fast-food bids in food deserts while prioritizing supermarkets offering healthy, affordable food.

Proposes expanding access to waterfront land and green space, improving parks, and encouraging community gardens.

Encourages schools to include environmental awareness, including reducing, reusing, and recycling, in their curricula.

Proposes funding repairs and equipment for parks and making parks safer.

Said grassroots organizations addressing climate issues should receive funding directly.

Supports curtailing immigration and removing people engaged in illegal activities.

Proposes documentation approved by the city of veterans' benefits to help housing brokers, landlords, and realtors understand those benefits.

Proposes providing legal representation through organizations backed by the councilmember's office to veterans denied housing without proper cause.

Supports requiring voter identification and re-registration to vote.

Wants to increase voter registration, applications for public positions, and participation in community boards.

Supports participatory budgeting that allows residents to vote on how tax dollars are spent.

Plans to keep the public informed about proposed policies through constituent engagement and cooperation with all political parties.

Supports stronger oversight of education funding.

Supports integrating nonprofit programs into schools as supplemental educational and after-school programs.

Supports keeping class sizes at reasonable levels.

Gonzalo Duran Autobiography

Gonzalo Duran was born and raised in the Belmont section of the Bronx. He earned a Bachelor of Science in health science from Fordham University.

Gonzalo currently serves as chief executive officer of Devil Dog USA Incorporated, which he founded. He has also held roles at the Bronx Veterans Affairs office and the Bronx Labor Department. He served eight years on active duty in the U.S. Marine Corps, attaining the rank of Sergeant.

Employment

Gonzalo plans to fight hard against these trends.

Add in stronger regulations directed towards developers when building housing.
Give residents a stronger voice in new housing developments as well as giving priority to current residents in need of affordable housing.
Encourage landlords to cap rent at an affordable level. Build stronger legislation to protect residents from landlords who drastically raise the rent.

Housing

Give residents a stronger voice in new housing developments as well as giving priority to current residents in need of affordable housing.
Encourage landlords to cap rent at an affordable level. Build stronger legislation to protect residents from landlords who drastically raise the rent.
Protect the rights and needs of senior and disabled tenants.

Said it may be possible to change how area median income is calculated for housing affordability.

Advocates for career-oriented jobs that offer opportunities for growth for Bronx residents.

Supports tax breaks for local businesses rather than corporations.

Supports giving residents more input on housing developments and prioritizing current residents who need affordable housing.

Encourages affordable rent caps and stronger protections against large rent increases.

- Advocates for career-oriented jobs that offer opportunities for growth for Bronx residents.
- Supports tax breaks for local businesses rather than corporations.
- Proposes stronger regulations for housing developers.
- Supports giving residents more input on housing developments and prioritizing current residents who need affordable housing.
- Encourages affordable rent caps and stronger protections against large rent increases.

Increase the amount of NYPD and surveillance to areas with high crime rates.
Bring back cops to ‘walk the beat’ so that they get to know the individuals in the area they patrol.
Create and implement youth programs to foster a relationship between police and community members.

Safety

Bring back cops to ‘walk the beat’ so that they get to know the individuals in the area they patrol.
Create and implement youth programs to foster a relationship between police and community members.
Encourage non-profits to provide safe spaces for youth in the area so that they can have a safe place to go to after school.

Encourage non-profits to provide safe spaces for youth in the area so that they can have a safe place to go to after school.
Open up communication between the police and community members through forums and town halls.

Allocate budget funds to provide monetary help towards non-profit, no-kill animal shelters and local Bronx animal rescue groups.
Introduce stronger legislation to increase the punishments to those who commit acts of animal cruelty. Ensure that the Animal Abuse Registry is properly updated in a timely manner.

Animal Issues

Said he wants to be harder on crime and would work on bail reform if able.

Supports assigning police officers to walk neighborhood beats.

Supports youth programs that build police-community relationships and nonprofit safe spaces for youth after school.

Supports police-community communication through forums and town halls.

- Supports increasing New York Police Department presence and surveillance in high-crime areas.
- Supports assigning police officers to walk neighborhood beats.
- Supports youth programs that build police-community relationships and nonprofit safe spaces for youth after school.
- Supports police-community communication through forums and town halls.
- Proposes stronger penalties for animal cruelty and timely updates to the Animal Abuse Registry.

Ways to help increase Bronx resident’s health:

Bring in more green / farmer markets while putting aside more funding for vouchers (Health Bucks for SNAP/EBT) to those on public assistance so that they can have more access to healthier foods.
Limit the number of fast food restaurants that over-populate disadvantaged areas.

Health

Bring in more green / farmer markets while putting aside more funding for vouchers (Health Bucks for SNAP/EBT) to those on public assistance so that they can have more access to healthier foods.
Limit the number of fast food restaurants that over-populate disadvantaged areas.
Start education on healthy living by bringing in educational programs to schools like cooking and nutritional based classes.

Limit the number of fast food restaurants that over-populate disadvantaged areas.
Start education on healthy living by bringing in educational programs to schools like cooking and nutritional based classes. Support programs already established, such as the Green City Force program that teaches NYCHA residents to farm in their own complexes.

Supports expanding farmers markets and food vouchers for people receiving public assistance.

Supports school-based cooking and nutrition classes and the Green City Force program for New York City Housing Authority residents.

- Supports expanding farmers markets and food vouchers for people receiving public assistance.
- Supports limiting the number of fast-food restaurants in disadvantaged areas.
- Supports school-based cooking and nutrition classes and the Green City Force program for New York City Housing Authority residents.

As Councilman, Gonzalo believes we should keep The Bronx green by:

Put into law the increased access to waterfront land and green space for all Bronx residents. Improve current green spaces, like parks, and encourage the formation of more community gardens.

Environment

These classes can also extend to adults and families through nutritional education and agricultural development of land (i.e. in community gardens or by transforming empty lots into gardens).

Encourage schools to add in environmental awareness to their curriculum so that the younger generation can understand the impacts we have on the environment, how to take care of it, and ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle.
Secure funding for our parks that have been neglected or overlooked in obtaining updated equipment or necessary repairs.

Encourage schools to add in environmental awareness to their curriculum so that the younger generation can understand the impacts we have on the environment, how to take care of it, and ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle.
Secure funding for our parks that have been neglected or overlooked in obtaining updated equipment or necessary repairs. Additionally, make parks safer so that the community can feel comfortable bringing their families to parks.

- Supports increased public access to waterfront land and green space, improved parks, and more community gardens.
- Supports adding environmental awareness, including reducing, reusing, and recycling, to school curricula.
- Supports funding repairs and equipment for neglected parks and improving park safety.