U.S. Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-South Bronx) has endorsed Robert Zimmerman, the longtime Democratic National Committee member, in his bid to capture the party’s nomination in the 3rd Congressional District, the campaign announced.
“As the first Afro-Latino LGBTQ+ member of Congress, I know it is vitally important to elect individuals who are dedicated to advocacy and community. Robert Zimmerman will bring positive change at the grassroots level,” Torres said in a statement.
“In Congress, Robert will fight to prevent gun violence, protect a person’s right to a legal and safe abortion, combat the forces of hate and bigotry that seek to divide us, stand for a truly safe and secure Israel and ensure the growth of our small businesses — the backbone of our local economies,” he said.
Torres, 34, has represented the South Bronx since 2021.
Zimmerman, 67, is co-president of ZE Creative Communications on Bond Street in Great Neck, a public relations firm he started 33 years ago with Ron Edelson.
“I am honored to have the support of Rep. Ritchie Torres, who has been an inspiration to me and many others as an LGBTQ+ leader and dedicated public servant for the people of New York,” Zimmerman said. “I look forward to serving together with Rep. Torres and collaborating with him on a wide range of issues to deliver real results for our region in Congress.”
The Great Neck resident is seeking the congressional seat being vacated by Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-Glen Cove), who is running for governor.
If elected, Zimmerman would become the first openlygay member of Congress from Long Island and Queens.
Since his announcement this year, Zimmerman’s campaign has raised over $900,000.
Other endorsements for Zimmerman’s campaign have come from former Nassau County Executive Laura Curran, Assemblyman Charles Lavine and state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli.
Also running for the Democratic nomination in the district are former North Hempstead Supervisor Jon Kaiman, Nassau County Legislator Joshua Lafazan, state Sen. Alessandra Biaggi, Melanie D’Arrigo of Port Washington and Oyster Bay’s Reema Rasool.
New district maps were submitted recently by a court-appointed “special master” and have been viewed as more neutral compared to ones that were rejected by a state appeals court several weeks ago.
While the 3rd Congressional District under the new proposal doesn’t extend as far west as the Bronx or Westchester counties, it does stretch to more southern parts of Nassau County such as Hicksville and Massapequa. The new lines do exclude the parts of the district that now stretch into Suffolk County, mainly Huntington and Smithtown.
George Santos is seeking the Republican nomination.
