Emerita Torres (or Emérita Torres[1]) is an American Democratic Party politician who was elected in 2024 to represent New York State Assembly district 85 for the 2025–2026 term.[1][2]
Emérita Torres | |
|---|---|
| Member-elect of the New York State Assembly from the 85th district | |
| Assuming office January 1, 2025 | |
| Succeeding | Kenny Burgos |
| Personal details | |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Education | [1] |
| Website | Campaign website Official website |
Early life and education
editTorres was born in The Bronx.[1] She studied history at New York University, then earned a master's degree in Public Policy at the Harvard Kennedy School.[3]
Career
editTorres was a diplomat in the United States Department of State, working in Brazil, Pakistan, Colombia, and Senegal, among others. She worked on economic development, human rights, racial justice, and labor rights for ten years before resigning to work on similar policy matters in New York.[4]
Torres worked at The Soufan Center after returning to New York.[4]
Since 2020, Torres has been the Vice President of Policy, Research, and Advocacy at the Community Service Society of New York, an anti-poverty nonprofit organization.[5][2] In this position she advocated for low-income New Yorkers and developed policy on affordable housing, transit justice, and economics.[4]
When Assembly Member Kenny Burgos announced his resignation in July 2024, leaving his seat vacant until the general election, she was the favorite to be selected by the Bronx Democratic Party as his replacement on the ballot and to be the likely winner in the safely Democratic district.[2] At the time, she was a state Democratic committee member.[2]
Torres ran on a platform of more jobs, affordable housing, and quality healthcare. She advocates help for local businesses, better enforcement of tenant protections, more housing, and more funding for public schools.[1]
Election results
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Emerita Torres | 20,881 | 79% | |
| Republican | Kelly Atkinson | 4,949 | 18.4% | |
| Conservative | Gary Lutz | 685 | 2.6% | |
References
edit- ^ a b c d e "Meet New York's incoming Assemblymembers". NEWS10 ABC. November 8, 2024. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
- ^ a b c d "Burgos abruptly announces resignation, effective immediately". City & State NY. July 19, 2024. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
- ^ "Emerita Torres' Biography". Vote Smart. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
- ^ a b c "The 2023 Above & Beyond: Women". City & State NY. March 27, 2023. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
- ^ "Emerita Torres platform & website | New York Member of Assembly, District 85". Branch Politics. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
- ^ "2024 New York General Elections Results - State Assembly District 85". The Journal News. December 11, 2024. Retrieved December 12, 2024.