Longtime Bronx congressman Eliot Engel dies at 79

Eliot Engel, the former Democratic congressman who represented Riverdale and other parts of the northern Bronx during his long political career, died April 10 at 79 years old.

Engel’s family announced his death in a statement, saying Engel died “surrounded by family and loved ones in the borough that raised him: The Bronx.”

“During his over 44 years in public service, Eliot Engel fought tirelessly for his constituents at home and for peace and security around the world,” the statement reads. “We love and miss him dearly.”

According to reporting by The Associated Press, Engel died of complications from Parkinson’s disease.

Engel was regarded for his staunch support of Israel, and push for liberal legislation that spanned affordable healthcare, gun control, international human rights, and reducing U.S. dependency on imported oil.

Over the course of his political service, Engel was chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and Assembly member for New York’s 81st district. He also served as congressman for the 16th, 17th and 19th districts of New York, representing parts of the Bronx and southern Westchester County, amid changing redistricting maps.

Engel was born Feb. 18, 1947 in the Bronx, and was the grandson of Jewish immigrants from Ukraine. He held a bachelor’s degree in history and a master’s degree in school counseling from Lehman College, of the City University of New York, and a law degree from New York Law School.

His political career began after working as a school counselor in New York’s public schools for several years, serving on the state assembly from 1977 to 1988. He first took office as congressman in 1989, serving 16 terms before losing the Democratic nomination in 2020 to Jamaal Bowman.

Engel defeated 10-term incumbent Mario Biaggi for the House of Representatives seat, who resigned shortly before the Democratic primary after he was convicted on corruption charges. When Engel entered the race, however, Biaggi was still a force in Bronx politics. Former editor of The Riverdale Press, Bernard “Buddy” Stein, said challenging Biaggi at the time took guts.

Previous reporting from The Press shows Engel faced criticism over the years. In June 2020, resident and member of The Jewish Vote Micah Sifry wrote to The Press voicing his support for Bowman, claiming Engel was “out of touch with everyone he represents.” Sifry cited, amongst other things, a comment Engel had made in 2016 about giving newly elected President Donald Trump the “benefit of the doubt.”

After 2016, Engel was critical of Trump. The congressman had earned a reputation for securing an aisle seat annually at the State of the Union address so he could appear on television shaking the president’s hand. But in 2017, Engel told members of the media he would not shake Trump’s hand as he believed he had no interest in working with Democrats.

The Press reported in June 2020 that Engel said his many years as a congressman meant people paid attention when he walked into a room and started to negotiate.

“It’s an honor and a pleasure to serve them,” Engel said about his constituents. “And as long as I serve them, I’m delighted to make the lives of people better.”

He said at the time he was proud of the work he had done on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, including his support of NATO military intervention in Yugoslavia during the Clinton administration in response to the ethnic cleansing of Albanians.

When Engel conceded the race to Bowman in July 2020, an article from The Press referenced his missteps on the campaign trail. These included a report that Engel was staying at his home in Maryland rather than the Bronx during the pandemic, as well as the moment he was caught on a live mic asking for the chance to speak on protests that had occurred on Fordham Road in response to the death of George Floyd, where Engel stated “If I didn’t have a primary, I wouldn’t care.”

Engel later said in a statement to The Press that in the context of re-election, he wanted constituents to know where he stood. He added he cared deeply for what was happening in the country, and that he loved the Bronx.

Assembly member Jeffrey Dinowitz said he met Engel at 17 years old while campaigning for George McGovern. The two remained close throughout their lives as family friends, Dinowitz said, and described Engel’s death as like losing a brother.

“More importantly, in my opinion, than what he got done in Congress — a force as that was — was he had a heart of gold,” Dinowitz said. “He was very caring.”

As a born Bronxite raised in public housing, Dinowitz said Engel never forgot that he came from a modest background, and was loyal to his borough and the needs of the community.

U.S. Rep. Ritchie Torres also expressed his condolences, and noted Engel’s advocacy for Kosovo and the Albanian community.

“Engel was a giant of New York politics and one of the greatest champions the Bronx has ever had in Congress,” Torres stated. “He served for more than three decades with unyielding dedication, fighting for his constituents and standing up for democracy around the world.”

Morgan Evers, the Assembly District 81 candidate challenging Assembly member Dinowitz, said she joined longtime colleagues in New York and nationwide in honoring Engel’s lifelong commitment to public service.

“As my former congressman, I remember Rep. Engel was a distinguished leader who honorably served our community and championed for human rights,” Evers said in a statement.

When Engel conceded to Bowman, he said in a statement to The Press that serving the people of the Bronx and Westchester had been the greatest privilege of his life. He said he and constituents faced challenges and made progress together, and that he had worked hard to represent the community from Washington to New York.

“I take particular pride in always showing up, always being present, always listening, and always caring deeply about those whom it’s been an honor to serve as their congressman,” Engel said.