New York City Councilman Ritchie Torres is reflecting on his history-making election win in the Bronx.
Torres calls it an honor to serve the borough, which he said is home to many essential workers who, in his words, are vibrant, loving and talented.
The 32-year-old became one of the first openly gay black men elected to Congress. “It’s an overwhelming experience, I never thought I would make history and I never thought as a poor kid from the Bronx, I would become a member of the world’s greatest legislature," he said. "I hope that my election serves as an inspiration, a source of hope in a time of despair.”
For his district, he said he’ll fight to expand the housing voucher program and the child tax credit. “If implemented," Torres said, "this would cut child poverty by 40% in one year and would put money in the pockets of struggling families.”