Carlos “Charlie” Ramos Jr., the Bronx liaison to former NYC Comptroller and mayoral candidate Bill Thompson, is vying for a chance this September to unseat juggernaut incumbent NY State Senator Ruben Diaz, Sr.
Diaz, a well-connected reverend and conservative Democrat who has represented the 32nd State Senate district in the Bronx since 2002, may be difficult to unseat. But Ramos has faith and political will.
“It’s going to be tough,” Ramos said about defeating Senator Diaz during a telephone interview on Friday. “But it’s doable.”
For about seven years Ramos has led grassroots community organizing and field operations campaigns in New York, Florida, Arizona, and Pennsylvania. He was elected as an alternate delegate by the voters of the 7th Congressional District of Bronx County to represent them at the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado.
Ramos, who graduated from Baruch College with a bachelor’s degree in public affairs, believes he has a good chance of beating Diaz Sr.
"There is a lot of voter apathy in the Bronx due to a lack of choices,” Ramos said. “Most races are uncontested.”
Senator Diaz Sr., who was part of the "Gang of 3" Democrats that caused a political standstill last year in a state senate coup with Republicans, also has a long history of supporting anti-LGBT issues.
"Diaz is not just anti-LGBT, he's anti-choice, anti-change, and against anything that is not aligned with his church's view," Ramos told the Examiner.com.
Ramos believes Diaz Sr. runs elections the old-fashioned way with lots of “street theater.”
Charlie Ramos hopes to recruit college students and fraternity and sorority members into his campaign. He also plans to continue using social media networks like Facebook to get out his message and help target financial donations from supporters in and out of the voting district.
Ramos officially gets on the ballot after gathering a required number of petition signatures from June through early July.
So far Ramos says his fundraising efforts are going well but he can always use more money. He has been endorsed by the NYC LGBT Chamber of Commerce and the Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club, but is certain more funds and endorsements will come after he’s officially on the ballot.
Ramos describes himself as fresh political face that hopes to bring more transparency and responsibility to Bronx politics.
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