Competitive primary emerges in Bronx’s District 81 Assembly race

The race for the Assembly District 81 seat is gaining momentum, emerging as a competitive contest between longtime incumbent Assembly member Jeffrey Dinowitz and teacher and community activist Morgan Evers.

Dinowitz is leading Evers in petition signatures and finances raised toward the campaign, but the race still marks his most competitive in recent years. He has held his seat since 1994.

Evers said she filed 2,600 signatures, more than five times the amount needed to earn a spot on the ballot. Dinowitz said he collected 4,600 signatures, more than nine times the amount needed.

The New York City Board of Elections said it does not line count signatures and could not confirm the exact numbers given by candidates.

Both candidates said they focused their efforts on doorknocking with volunteers across the district neighborhoods of Riverdale, Kingsbridge, Kingsbridge Heights, Van Cortlandt Village, Marble Hill, Norwood, Wakefield and Woodlawn Heights. 

New York State Board of Elections campaign records show that after expenses, Dinowitz’s campaign currently has $235,523.11, and Evers’ has $36,883.94. Both qualified for local contributions to be matched by the state, and said they expect additional funds to come in soon.

Evers will officially appear on the ballot once she is approved by the New York City Board of Elections. The primary ballot certification will be filed by April 30, according to the New York State Board of Elections.

Evers said she expected Dinowitz to challenge her petition. By the deadline on April 2, Dinowitz’s campaign office told The Press they did not contest, and never had any intention to. New York City Board of Elections records also did not show any objections.

Evers told The Press she is optimistic about the campaign, and emphasized she is fighting against what she feels is the “same old status quo.”

“There’s a lot of excitement,” Evers said. “This is a grassroots movement, but it feels larger than life.”

Evers previously served as a New York State Committee member from 2022 to 2024, a volunteer role that connects the community to state Democrats. If elected to Assembly, she would be the first blind woman to be a part of the New York State Legislature, Evers said.

She criticized the “machine,” or the idea of a political structure that limits local input. Evers referenced the 2024 Assembly race, where Dinowitz ran uncontested, and emphasized the importance of a competitive primary election.

Evers’ platform aims to target affordability, especially within housing, childcare and local businesses, according to her campaign website. She told The Press she is also concerned with aggressive measures by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the possibility of rollback on climate law.

“We need new voices that come from the community that can lift up the everyday concerns of working New Yorkers,” Evers said.

Dinowitz told The Press he disagrees with the argument that he’s been in office too long, and experience is what enables him to push policy.

“You can get more done when you have been around for a while — when you have more clout, when you have more experience, when you know the ins and the outs,” he said.

He mentioned the program he secured that allows residents with an E-ZPass to get an instant rebate on the Henry Hudson Bridge toll, as well as a bill that helped tenants avoid eviction during the pandemic. In this campaign, Dinowitz said he is looking to procure funds that improve schools, healthcare and childcare in the district.

He added the idea of running against the “establishment,” is insignificant compared to a candidate’s platform and what they aim to accomplish.

“People see me,” Dinowitz said. “They know that I work hard. They know that I’ve lived in the community all my life.”

Dinowitz is backed by the longstanding Ben Franklin Reform Democratic Club, a political organization founded in 1960. He is also endorsed by U.S. Reps. Ritchie Torres and Adriano Espaillat, state Sen. Jamaal T. Bailey and Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson, among others.

Another dominant local political group, Unity Democratic Club, is behind Evers. She has the endorsement of the Working Families Party, and the support of state Sen. Gustavo Rivera and state Sen. Robert Jackson.

The competition between organizations is also reflected in party position races. Unity’s Abigail Martin is up for re-election for female district leader against Ben Franklin Club’s Virginia Krompinger. Male district leader and state committee members are held by Ben Franklin Club incumbents, with Unity-tied challengers.

Unity was established in 2022 by former Ben Franklin Club members that aimed to create what they felt was a more inclusive group, as previously reported by The Press.

The Democratic primary will take place June 23.