Bronx Republican Party

{{short description|Affiliate of the Republican Party in New York City}} {{Infobox political party | colorcode = {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}} | name = Bronx Republican Party | logo = Bronx GOP logo.png | leader1_title = Chairman | leader1_name = Michael Rendino<ref name="about" /> | foundation = | headquarters = | ideology = Conservatism  | position =  | national = Republican Party | regional = New York Republican State Committee | student_wing = | youth_wing = | membership_year = | membership = | seats1_title = New York State Assembly (Bronx Seats) | seats1 = {{Composition bar|0|11|hex={{party color|Republican Party (United States)}}}} | seats2_title = New York State Senate (Bronx Seats) | seats2 = {{Composition bar|0|6|hex={{party color|Republican Party (United States)}}}} | seats3_title = Citywide Executive Offices | seats3 = {{Composition bar|0|5|hex={{party color|Republican Party (United States)}}}} | seats4_title = New York City Council (Bronx Seats) | seats4 = {{Composition bar|1|7|hex={{party color|Republican Party (United States)}}}} | colors = {{Color box|{{party color|Republican Party (United States)}}|border=darkgray}} Red | state = New York | country_dab1 = Politics of New York City | elections_dab1 = Elections in New York City }} The '''Bronx Republican Party''', more commonly known as the '''Bronx GOP''', is a regional affiliate of the United States Republican Party for the borough of the Bronx in New York City, New York.<ref name="about">{{cite web |title=about us |url=https://www.thebronxgop.com/about |website=thebronxgop.com |access-date=25 July 2023}}</ref>

== Leadership == Unlike most other county affiliates for the Republican Party, mostly due to the small size of the Bronx GOP, they do not maintain a traditional committee, instead simply having a chairman and a leader for each seat in the New York State Assembly.<ref name="about" />

The Current Chairman is Michael Rendino, who was elected in 2016 and re-elected to the office in 2019.<ref name="about" /> He is still the Chair of the organization as of 2025.<ref>https://www.bxtimes.com/bronx-gop-marmorato-sister-chair/</ref>

== History == === Malcolm Smith bribery scandal === On April 2, 2013, the party's chairman Joseph J. Savino was arrested on charges of corruption for accepting a bribe from Democratic State Senator Malcolm Smith to secure the Republican nomination for the 2013 New York City mayoral election. He would be succeeded by John Greaney, a navy veteran and firefighter from the September 11th attacks and a former civil employee who raised concerns as he was a personal friend of Savino and had thousands of dollars of debt.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Fermino |first1=Jennifer |last2=Sandoval |first2=Edgar |date=9 April 2013 |title=New Bronx Republican Chairman John Greaney has dubious financial past |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/bronx-gop-chief-sketchy-financial-article-1.1311223 |website=New York Daily News |access-date=25 July 2023}}</ref>

=== 2016 election === {{Main|2016 Republican Party presidential primaries}} During the 2016 Republican Party presidential primaries, the New York Republican State Committee awarded 3 delegates to the Republicans of the 15th district which is solely in the Bronx. Meaning the small Bronx Republican party suddenly found themselves in the midst of a heated race between Ted Cruz and Donald Trump to secure their delegates. ''The New York Times'' assessed Bronx Republicans where the most "powerful" Republicans in the country, with only 741 voters for every 1 delegate. The Bronx GOP backed Donald Trump, in part due to the Trump Links golf course at Ferry Point Park which improved the local economy, and in part because Ted Cruz did not tell the party he would be visiting the Bronx with a Democratic State Senator for a campaign stop.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Detrow |first1=Scott |date=14 April 2016 |title=Why Republicans In The Bronx And Other Deep-Blue Districts Are Suddenly So Popular |url=https://www.npr.org/2016/04/14/474243488/why-republicans-in-the-bronx-and-other-deep-blue-districts-are-suddenly-so-popul |website=NPR |access-date=25 July 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Buchanan |first1=Larry |last2=Cohn |first2=Nate |last3=Katz |first3=Josh |last4=Keller |first4=Josh |date=17 April 2016 |title=The Most Powerful Republican Voters in the Country Are in the Bronx |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/04/15/upshot/republican-voting-power.html?mtrref=www.google.com&gwh=CEF94BE70666295CA8F8BA50EBC45FAF&gwt=regi&assetType=REGIWALL |website=The New York Times |access-date=25 July 2023}}</ref>

Shortly after the election, the chairman John Greaney stepped down due to health complications from the September 11th attacks, and a new chairman, former vice-chairman Michael Rendino was elected in a local sports bar.<ref>{{cite web |publisher= Bronx GOP|title=NEWS RELEASE |url=https://www.facebook.com/TheBronxGOP/posts/news-releasebronx-republican-party-chairman-john-greaney-announces-decision-to-s/1494020157279109/ |website=Facebook |access-date=25 July 2023}}</ref>

=== 2020 election === {{Main|2020 United States presidential election}} In 2020, Donald Trump received 15.7% of the Borough's vote, compared to 9.4% in 2016, which was the steepest pro-Trump increase across the city, which saw a general pro-Republican trend during the election.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ngo |first1=Emily |date=2 December 2020 |title=Election Results Show Support for Donald Trump Grew in Deep-Blue NYC |url=https://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/news/2020/12/02/election-results-show-support-for-donald-trump-grew-in-deep-blue-nyc |website=NY1 |access-date=25 July 2023}}</ref>

=== 2021 election === {{Main|2021 New York City mayoral election}} During the 2021 New York City mayoral election, the party endorsed Fernando Mateo for the Republican nomination. Mateo, the spokesmen for Hispanics Across America, and the state Federation of Taxi Drivers, was the first latino immigrant to run for mayor as a Republican. Despite another endorsement from the Queens Republican Party, Mateo would be unable to secure the third endorsement to become candidate, instead Manhattan, Brooklyn and Staten Island's party would endorse Curtis Sliwa.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Gartland |first1=Michael |date=25 February 2021 |title=NYC mayoral hopeful Fernando Mateo snags endorsements from Bronx and Queens Republicans |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/new-york-elections-government/ny-nyc-mayoral-race-fernando-mateo-gop-endorsements-20210225-o2sl6twomndaxexc4ycdnabnqy-story.html |website=New York Daily News |access-date=25 July 2023}}</ref>

=== 2022 election === {{Main|2022 United States House of Representatives elections in New York}} In the 2022 election for District 14, the Bronx GOP stood a candidate, Tina Forte, who defeated Queens Republican Desi Joseph Cuellar in a primary to go on to face Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Sequeira |first1=Robbie |date=24 August 2022 |title=Bronx native Tina Forte clinches GOP nomination, to face AOC in NY-14 Congressional race |url=https://politicsny.com/2022/08/24/bronx-native-tina-forte-clinches-gop-nomination-to-face-aoc-in-ny-14-congressional-race/ |website=politicsny.com |access-date=25 July 2023}}</ref> Ocasio-Cortez would handily win 70% to 23%.

=== 2023 election === {{Main|2023 New York City Council election}} Despite the party's small size, they have undergone a concerted effort to launch a competitive campaign for the 13th city council district held by first term councilwoman Marjorie Velázquez.<ref name="politico">{{cite web |last1=Francica |first1=Eleonora |last2=Gronewold |first2=Anna |last3=Goldenberg |first3=Sally |date=24 January 2023 |title=GOP eyes City Council seat in the Bronx after midterm gains |url=https://www.politico.com/newsletters/new-york-playbook/2023/01/24/gop-eyes-city-council-seat-in-the-bronx-after-midterm-gains-00079169 |website=politico |access-date=25 July 2023}}</ref> Kristy Marmorato, chairman Michael Rendino's sister, won the party's primary, in a move that has been decried as nepotism, despite Rendino having no say in the primary.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Botello |first1=Camille |date=19 June 2023 |title=Charges of nepotism and concerns over support for the primary winner highlight CD-13 Republican debate |url=https://www.bxtimes.com/republicans-cd-13-primary-debate/ |website=Bronx Times-Reporter |access-date=25 July 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Gartland |first1=Michael |date=9 April 2013 |title=Bronx Council race heats up with GOP hopefuls backed by Jan. 6 insurrectionist and Proud Boy supporter |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/bronx-gop-chief-sketchy-financial-article-1.1311223 |website=New York Daily News |access-date=25 July 2023}}</ref> George Havranek, Marmorato's challenger in the primary, was also accused of committing electoral fraud by forging signatures, and admitted to donating to Velázquez's campaign in 2021.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Schneider |first1=Aliya |date=15 June 2023 |title=Bronx GOP protests Republican challenger George Havranek as CD-13 primary heats up |url=https://www.bxtimes.com/bronx-gop-protests-george-havranek/ |website=Bronx Times-Reporter |access-date=25 July 2023}}</ref> Marmorato would go on to win after a run-off election, and secure the endorsement of the Conservative Party.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Schneider |first1=Aliya |date=28 June 2023 |title=Marmorato, Havranek advance to second round of voting in razor-thin CD-13 GOP primary |url=https://www.bxtimes.com/marmorato-havranek-second-round-primary/ |website=Bronx Times-Reporter |access-date=25 July 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Schneider |first1=Aliya |date=22 February 2023 |title=Bronx GOP endorses Kristy Marmorato, sister of county chair, for Velázquez's district |url=https://www.bxtimes.com/bronx-gop-marmorato-sister-chair/ |website=Bronx Times-Reporter |access-date=25 July 2023}}</ref> ''The City'' assessed the campaign would be close due to the local Hispanic population shifting away from Velázquez due to the ongoing housing crisis.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Custodio |first1=Jonathan |date=26 May 2023 |title=Carpenters Union Would Take Marjorie Velázquez Over Jesus Christ, But Will Bronx Voters? |url=https://www.thecity.nyc/2023/5/26/23738180/marjorie-velazquez-carpenters-union-bruckner-boulevard |website=The City |access-date=25 July 2023}}</ref> Marmorato would defeat Velazquez with 52.9% to Velazquez's 47.1%.<ref>{{cite web |title=2023 N.Y. District 13 General |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/nyc-city-council-2023/ |website=CBS |access-date=8 November 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Bedrosian |first=Shosh |date=8 November 2023|title=Republican Kristy Marmorato wins Bronx City Council seat, defeating incumbent Democrat Marjorie Velazquez |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/kristy-marmorato-marjorie-velazquez-bronx-new-york-city-council-district-13/ |website=CBS |access-date=8 November 2023}}</ref>

In the 17th District, the Bronx GOP candidate, Rosalie Nieves, is ran unopposed and faced off against incumbent democrat Rafael Salamanca, and [https://www.gonzaloduran.nyc/gonzalo-duran-press Gonzalo Duran], Salamanca's democratic challenger who secured the Conservative Party's nomination.<ref name=":0">{{cite web |last1=Bronck |first1=Jonas |date=15 June 2024 |title=The Bronx Conservative & Republican Party Endorses Gonzalo Duran For NY's Congressional District 15 |url=https://bronx.com/the-bronx-conservative-and-republican-party-endorses-gonzalo-duran-for-nys-congressional-district-15/ |access-date=24 June 2024 |website=The Bronx Daily}}</ref>

=== 2024 election === {{Main|2024 United States House of Representatives elections in New York}}

In the 15th Congressional District, the Bronx County Conservative Party candidate and Bronx GOP endorsed candidate, Gonzalo Duran, ran unopposed and faced off against incumbent democrat Ritchie Torres.<ref name=":0" /> He received just 21.1% of the vote.<ref>{{cite web |title=Certified November 5, 2024 General Election Results, approved 12.09.2024 |url=https://elections.ny.gov/election-results |website=New York State Board of Elections}}</ref>

=== 2025 election === Main article: 2025 New York City Public Advocate election

On February 18, Gonzalo Duran announced that he would be running for Public Advocate of New York City. On February 25, both the Bronx Republican and Conservative Parties announced that they had chosen Duran as their candidate for Public Advocate.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bronck |first=Jonas |date=February 26, 2025 |title=The Bronx Conservative & Republican Parties Endorse Gonzalo Duran For NYC Public Advocate |url=https://bronx.com/the-bronx-conservative-and-republican-parties-endorse-gonzalo-duran-for-nyc-public-advocate/ }}</ref> This marks the first time in over 10 years that a citywide Conservative Party candidate has received a cross-party endorsement. Duran would challenge the incumbent, Jumaane D. Williams, earning just 24.9% of the vote.

== Elected officials == As of 2023, the Bronx GOP has no elected officials in the New York Senate, New York House of Representatives, or the Executive of New York and just one in the New York City Council. The last Republican Borough president of the Bronx was Joseph “Pepperoni” Periconi, who served one term from 1962-65. Prior to him, there was only one other Republican borough president, Douglas Mathewson, who served from 1914-17. The last Republican state senator from the Bronx was Guy Velella who left office in 2004.

Kristy Marmorato was the most recent Bronx Republican city councilor, representing the 13th District from 2024 to 2025.<ref name="Marmorato wins">{{cite web |last1=Gartland |first1=Michael |date=7 November 2023 |title=GOP candidate Kristy Marmorato declares victory in stunning upset in Bronx Council race |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/2023/11/07/gop-candidate-declares-victory-in-stunning-upset-in-bronx-council-race/ |access-date=8 November 2023 |website=Daily News}}</ref>

== References == {{reflist}}

Category:New York Republican State Committee Category:Organizations based in the Bronx Category:Political parties with year of establishment missing