Fernando Ferrer

Fernando Ferrer (born April 30, 1950 in the Bronx, New York) was the Borough President of The Bronx from 1987 to 2001, and was a candidate for mayor in 2001. He is the Democratic candidate currently making another bid for mayor against Republican Mike Bloomberg.

Related Topics:
April 30 - 1950 - Bronx - New York - Borough President - The Bronx - 1987 - 2001 - Democratic - Mike Bloomberg

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Ferrer grew up on Fox Street in the Hunts Point section of the South Bronx and was raised by his mother and by his grandmother, who worked in the kitchen of the Waldorf-Astoria. Ferrer went to private school and attended New York University before he got involved in community service as a student. Ferrer entered politics, and was elected to the New York City Council at the age of 32. Remembering how he had to translate for his grandmother when she was hospitalized, he authored legislation requiring interpreters in city emergency rooms. Ferrer went on to chair the Health Committee, fight for anti-discrimination laws on behalf of gays and lesbians, and lead the fight for a Civilian Complaint Review Board for the NYPD.

Related Topics:
Hunts Point - Waldorf-Astoria - New York University - New York City Council - NYPD

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Ferrer began his 14-year tenure as Bronx borough president when the Bronx was a symbol of urban decay and neglect. National attention led to a Federal commitment to rebuild. During the Ferrer administration housing was created for about 66,000 families. The borough saw a significant drop in crime, particularly in the South Bronx neighborhood, and a steady rise in business and real estate investment.

Related Topics:
South Bronx - Business - Real estate - Investment

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In 2001, Ferrer ran for the Democratic nomination for mayor. He won the first primary with 34%, but failed to win the necessary 40% to win the nomination and ultimately lost a divisive runoff election to Mark Green. Ferrer, who is of Puerto Rican descent, received a high level of support from Hispanic voters.

Related Topics:
2001 - Democratic - Nomination - Mayor - Primary - Runoff election - Mark Green - Puerto Rican - Hispanic - Voter

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Ferrer is the Democratic nominee running against mayor Michael Bloomberg in 2005 (see New York City mayoral election, 2005). However, his candidacy was hurt because of remarks he made concerning the Amadou Diallo shooting in March 2005. Ferrer, who'd protested the shooting at the time, recently expressed his belief to the New York City Police Department Sergeant's Benevolent Association that the incident was a "tragedy," but "not a crime." He has been strongly criticized by Diallo's family and others for these remarks, and he slid in popularity polls. He has been endorsed by Attorney General and gubernatorial candidate Eliot Spitzer, Senators Charles Schumer and Hillary Rodham Clinton as well as The New York Times, Howard Dean, Reverend Al Sharpton, the Working Families Party and former mayor David Dinkins. In the primary election held on September 13, 2005, Ferrer garnered 39.95% of the final vote. He needed 40% to avoid a runoff, but Anthony D. Weiner, the second place finisher, conceded, thus ensuring Ferrer would advance to the general election. A count of the total votes indicates that Ferrer recieved 40.15% of the votes.

Related Topics:
Michael Bloomberg - 2005 - New York City mayoral election, 2005 - Amadou Diallo - Eliot Spitzer - Charles Schumer - Hillary Rodham Clinton - The New York Times - Howard Dean - Al Sharpton - Working Families Party - David Dinkins - Anthony D. Weiner

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