Ritchie Torres

The first openly gay Afro-Latino member of Congress and the first openly gay candidate to be elected to office in the Bronx, Ritchie previously served as the youngest member of the New York City Council.

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Chanikarn Thongsupa

LBJ Library

Brendan Smialowski, Agence France-Presse

Leaders
Leaders

RitchieTorres

36, New York — 15, D

Who is he?

Congressman Ritchie Torres represents New York’s 15th District in the Bronx and is known for his strong advocacy on progressive issues. Elected in 2020, he made history as the first openly LGBTQ+ person elected to Congress from New York after being elected to the New York City Council at just 25-years-old. Torres is dedicated to improving affordable housing, addressing climate change, and expanding access to healthcare. Before his time in Congress, he served on the New York City Council, where he focused on reforming public housing and fighting for marginalized communities. In addition to his domestic priorities, Torres is also a committed advocate for a strong U.S.-Israel relationship, emphasizing the importance of supporting Israel’s security and its right to defend itself.

What’s he saying?

“I never thought I would embark on a journey that would take me from public housing in the Bronx to the House of Representatives in Washington, D.C.”

Core Issues

  • Combatting Terrorism
  • Expanding Education Access
  • Voting Rights

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