NEW YORK — Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.) is getting a primary challenge from a rival homing in on his fierce support for Israel and the donations he’s collected as a result.
Former Democratic National Committee Vice Chair Michael Blake, a onetime state lawmaker who unsuccessfully ran for New York City mayor this year, is launching a bid to topple Torres as left-flank Democrats across the country start taking on incumbents.
“I’m running for Congress because the Bronx deserves better than Richie Torres,” Blake told NBC New York on Wednesday, in an exclusive interview shared with POLITICO in advance of his launch. “We need to focus on cost of living. We have to focus on how people need us to help them with groceries as opposed to Richie’s helping to support a genocide.”
Blake, speaking at a Bronx food pantry, emphasized Torres’ outspoken advocacy for Israel, an issue that has sharply divided Democrats, as he made his opening pitch to take on the incumbent during next year’s midterm elections. Democrats will fight to seize control over the House next year, as progressives like Blake challenge establishment incumbents throughout the nation.
He is announcing his candidacy with a video accusing Torres of prioritizing the Israeli prime minister over Bronx residents but would not share any other details of his staffing or fundraising plans.
Torres, a prolific fundraiser, has a massive war chest: $14.4 million in his federal account, per a recent filing.
Torres spokesperson Benny Stanislawski said in a statement, “Michael Blake is not interested in the Bronx; he’s only interested in using it to run for office for the fifth time, and the result will be the same as before: another loss.”
Blake has made several unsuccessful runs for various New York offices, including facing off against Torres for Congress.
“There’s a reason Bronx voters trust Ritchie Torres,” Stanislawski added. “He’s been their champion in Congress, laser-focused on issues like public housing and affordability while standing up to Donald Trump. That’s why he’s going to win again next year.”
Blake, in the interview with NBC New York, would not commit to supporting Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, a fellow New York Democrat, for speaker of the House should his party win in the midterms next year. Jeffries came under scrutiny on his left flank this year for delaying an endorsement of Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani after he won the Democratic nomination.
A high-profile figure in New York politics, Torres has engendered the adoration of supporters of Israel and like-minded donors during his time in office. But his unabashed defense of the country during the war in Gaza — a position he has slightly tempered recently — has garnered him pushback among progressives who oppose Israel’s actions.
Torres recently dropped his aspirations to challenge New York Gov. Kathy Hochul to instead run for reelection, in a seat he easily won last year after an uncontested primary.
This article was produced in collaboration with NBC 4 New York, the NBC affiliate in New York. Melissa Russo is a reporter for NBC 4.
