Who's running in New York's 15th congressional district
4 candidates are on the ballot. Below is what each one says they stand for, what they have actually done in office or in public life, and the arguments published for and against them — each quoted from a named source rather than summarised by us.
4 candidates · ballot order · Ritchie Torres currently holds this seat
Medium confidenceMedium confidenceThe candidate's stated positions and basic record are documented, but coverage is thin — often little independent reporting, or criticism from only one side.What would raise it: More independent reporting, a documented voting record, or published criticism from a named opponent would raise this.
What they say they stand for
Their own words. Claims, not verified facts.
Affordability, particularly housing and rent costs in New York City.
Safety for children in Bronx neighbourhoods.
Economic security for families struggling to meet basic needs.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
U.S. Representative for the 15th District since January 2021.
New York City councilmember from 2014.
Advanced from the June 23, 2026 Democratic primary.
Arguments in favor
Since 2020 he has secured federal funding for affordable housing, local infrastructure and small-business relief in the South Bronx, and was instrumental in directing pandemic recovery money to the neighbourhoods hit hardest by COVID-19.
— Allies of Ritchie Torres, reported by CRBC News
He is one of the few progressive Democrats willing to argue with his own party's left on the Middle East, framing his support for Israel as part of a broader commitment to liberal democracy and human rights — and Bronx primary voters backed him by about 50 points.
— City & State New York
Arguments against
He cares more about Israel than about his own district, putting foreign policy ahead of the Bronx's economic struggles on affordability, the war and immigration.
— Michael Blake, former state assembly member and DNC vice chair, his Democratic primary opponent
His AIPAC backing is the problem: US aid to Israel should be cut entirely and the money spent on housing, health care and immigrants' rights here instead.
— Andre Easton, also on this ballot, and Dalourny Nemorin, his Democratic primary opponent
What we couldn’t verify
His committee assignments were not established from the sources found.
The exact scale of AIPAC-aligned support for his campaigns was not established from the sources found.
No National Republican Congressional Committee page about him by name was found.
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
Arguments against
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
What we couldn’t verify
No published criticism of Sapaskis by name could be found, and no published case for him: no campaign site was located and he has drawn no coverage. Because no case against him exists on the record, none is presented for him either.
His positions, fundraising and any endorsements were not reported in material available.
Support for veterans, including health effects from burn pit exposure.
Health care, housing, education and employment in the Bronx.
Public safety.
Transportation and the environment; animal welfare and civic engagement.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Vice chairman of the Bronx County Conservative Party; district leader for the 79th Assembly District.
More than two decades of service to the country, New York State and the Bronx.
Conservative Party candidate for the 15th District, running on his own line.
Has not held elected public office.
Arguments in favor
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
Arguments against
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
What we couldn’t verify
No published criticism of Duran by name could be found, and no published case for him beyond his own campaign site. As a candidate with no party organisation behind him he has drawn very little coverage. Because no case against him exists on the record, none is presented for him either.
His fundraising and any endorsements were not reported in material available.
Independent candidate for the 15th District, qualified for the November 3, 2026 general election.
Arguments in favor
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
Arguments against
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
What we couldn’t verify
No published criticism of Easton by name could be found, from Ritchie Torres or his campaign or from Bronx news coverage. He is a Bronx teacher running as an independent backed by the Party for Socialism and Liberation. Because no case against him exists on the record, none is presented for him either, rather than showing his own campaign's case unanswered.
His fundraising and any endorsements beyond that backing were not reported in material available.
Positions and criticism are quoted from the named sources, not our assessments. This is built to help you start getting informed — confirm the official candidate list with your election authority before you vote.
New York held its primary on June 23, 2026. Four candidates are on the November ballot in this South Bronx district: Democratic incumbent Ritchie Torres, Republican Stylo Sapaskis, Conservative Party candidate Gonzalo Duran running separately from the Republican, and independent Andre Easton. New York allows fusion voting, but here the Conservative Party has its own candidate rather than cross-endorsing. The 2026 elections use the congressional map enacted on February 28, 2024. Roster from the New York qualifying lists as reported by Politics1 and Wikipedia. No candidate is listed with arguments for or against here: no published criticism of any of them by name from someone opposing them could be found, and setting out a case against one and not the others would tilt the page.
This is one contest on a longer ballot
A New York ballot also carries state legislative districts, county offices, judicial seats and often local questions — and which of them you vote on is decided by your street address, not your city or ZIP code.
Your ballot is determined by your election authority, not by us. Verify your registration, precinct, and sample ballot at New York State Board of Elections.