With all 51 districts of the New York City Council up for election on November 4, new faces are coming to local government – and SLU alumnus Justin Sanchez is likely to be among them. Justin, who was SLU valedictorian in 2021 when he received his B.A. in Urban and Community Studies, won the Democratic Primary in Council District 17 in June. Although he faces opposition on the Republican and Conservative ballot lines, Justin is well positioned given that three-quarters of the Bronx district’s voters are registered Democrats. Justin, 34, has held a variety of positions in local government and Democratic groups. He lives in the South Bronx and enjoys music, books and sports — and found a few minutes to talk to the SLU community.
The Chronicle: What do you love about your district?
Justin Sanchez: I love that it’s made up of hard-working, community-driven people whose hearts and passion built the neighborhoods I am so proud to represent. Because of that, they not only deserve to be met with excellent service and representation from our city government but also deserve to be part of the change that happens in their neighborhoods and have ownership of the future of the South Bronx.
What have you learned about public life and effecting change that you’d like SLU students and alumni to know?
From the outside it’s easy to see politics as a great big fight and a struggle against different philosophies, but that is not what our job is. Being an elected official is not about arguing and being right, it’s about working for the people and governing to bring the best solutions forward for the people you represent. As students beginning your careers, it’s important to remember that you are not working for yourself or any sort of special interests or a party, you are working for the communities who put their faith in you and elected you to represent them.
How did your Latino grandparents shape you?
When I was a little, I spent a lot of time with my grandmother, or Mama as I called her. She came to the Bronx from the Dominican Republic at the age of 16 with $30 to her name. Here, she met my grandfather, who I know as Papa, a cab driver and a presser, from Puerto Rico. I watched as my grandparents worked hard to support their children while always giving back to the community. That was especially true with my grandmother. Some of my earliest memories are us together at church, at senior centers, at food pantries — always doing our little part in making our community a better place. These early memories are the roots to my career in service.
What attracted you to politics and keeps you in it?
Since I was little, I’ve always been interested in politics and making a difference. It’s something I’ve just been drawn to. I can probably credit it to my upbringing. I was raised by a mother who always pushed me to be the best that I could be, and worked tirelessly to provide the best life she could for my family. As a kid, I saw the power and the reward for her hard work. As I began my career in local government, I saw the power and reward of what the government can do to shape communities and help people in need. Seeing that change happen in real time is what keeps me going and why I ran for office. I want to take that same drive that is ingrained in me and apply it as a Councilmember.
District 17 is majority Latino. What does that mean to you?
With every step you take you are going to see, hear, taste, smell and feel our culture ringing through our streets. It’s ingrained in the fabric of our community and who we all are as people. Even if you are not Latino, the cultures have an impact on every resident and contribute to our everyday life. As a Councilmember, I am going to do everything in my power to continue to highlight our vibrant Latino culture and bring our strength and resilience with me into City Hall.
What would you like New Yorkers to know about Hispanic heritage?
Heritage is not just something that exists in the past and is celebrated every once in a while: it continues to live and grow in the present day. Our communities in the South Bronx are built on this heritage and now my generation upholds these values and carries them with us today. I’ve heard a lot about first-generation and immigrant families trying to move past their heritage and assimilate with the culture of the place they live now. But I want everybody to know that the most American thing you can do is use your culture to contribute to your community. Our different backgrounds and cultures are what makes our communities so special, and New York is a place where you can see this so clearly. I am proud to see Hispanic Heritage thrive in our city and the South Bronx and I hope it eventually will throughout the entire country.
What has it been like running for office in your district as a gay man?
It’s something that has felt very empowering and gratifying, personally. We live in a time now where being gay is more accepted than ever, and that is the product of generations of people who spoke out and organized. I’m grateful for people’s support on this campaign and I will continue to work with them to continue to advocate for our community and the next generation.
What would you tackle in your first weeks in office?
My team and I are all about action and we will hit the ground running from Day 1. In terms of specific issues that I am looking to target, I campaigned on “cleaning the damn streets” and that is at the top of my list of priorities. I want residents to see visible improvements to their quality of life throughout my term in office, and that starts with trash.