Endorsing Ritchie Torres betrays the Bronx

To the editor,

Political endorsements say so many things — what a person values, who they listen to and what injustices they’re willing to excuse.  

Recently, multiple Democrats have endorsed Rep. Ritchie Torres for re-election: Rep. Adriano Espaillat, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, state Sen. Jamaal Bailey, Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson, Assembly Members George Alvarez, Landon Dais, Jeffrey Dinowitz, John Zaccaro, Council members Eric Dinowitz, Oswald Feliz, Kevin Riley, Pierina Sanchez, Justin Sanchez and Althea Stevens.

Endorsing Torres? Stop and think what that means: advocating for a “representative” who refuses to listen to his constituents — blocking them en masse on social media and failing to hold in person, publicly accessible town halls. A United States congressman who has reportedly thus far taken $2,661,962 in pro-Israel donations over the span of his career. During what multiple human rights institutions have called a genocide, Torres has voted to send billions in weapons to Israel. All while Congressional District 15 continues to be the poorest in the U.S. 

In 2026, Torres faces multiple quality contenders. Among them: Jose Vega, Dalourny Nemorin and Andre Easton. Anyone who endorses Torres overlooks his appalling track record. What does that sadly say about their values? 

Those who care for the Bronx shouldn’t be propping up Torres. They should be demanding and supporting change. 

JANET CLARKE