
By Kevin Deutsch
kdeutsch@bronxjusticenews.com
Ritchie Torres is headed to the U.S. House of Representatives to rep the South Bronx.
The crusading city councilman, who grew up in NYCHA public housing, defeated Republican Patrick Delices on Tuesday to become the first gay Black-Latino ever to reach Congress.
He replaces outgoing incumbent Ruben Diaz Sr., whose history of homophobic and bellicose statements led to a resounding rejection by voters in the Democratic primary.
“Tonight, a new era begins for the South Bronx. It is the honor of a lifetime to represent a borough filled with essential workers who have risked their lives so that New York City could live,” Torres said in a statement. “The Bronx is essential, and the vibrant, loving and talented people who live here have shown time and again their power, fortune and perseverance.”