Pierina Sanchez

Pierina Sanchez
Sanchez in 2024
Member of the New York City Council
from the 14th district
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 1, 2022
Preceded byFernando Cabrera
Personal details
Born
Pierina Ana Sanchez

(1988-06-10) June 10, 1988 (age 36)
New York City, New York, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
EducationHarvard University (BA)
Princeton University (MPA)
WebsiteOfficial website

Pierina Ana Sanchez (born June 10, 1988) is an American politician from the Bronx, New York City. Since 2022, Sanchez has represented the 14th district on the New York City Council, encompassing Kingsbridge, Fordham, University Heights, and Tremont.[1] A Democrat, Sanchez formerly served in the mayoral office of Bill de Blasio as a policy advisor.[2]

Early life and education

Sanchez was born in University Heights and grew up in the Kingsbridge neighborhood of the Bronx.[3] She is the daughter of Mixed-race Dominican immigrants who immigrated to the United States in the 1970s.[4] She has a son, born in August of 2022.[5]

After enrolling in the Upward Bound college-preparatory program provided by Bronx Community College, Sanchez attended Harvard University. She later received a Master's in Public Affairs (M.P.A.) degree from Princeton University's School of Public and International Affairs.[2][4]

Career

While at Harvard, Sanchez worked for an immigration non-profit organization and tutored incarcerated GED students. After receiving her undergraduate degree, she worked in constituency services for councilman Fernando Cabrera. While at Princeton, Sanchez interned at the White House in the summer of 2012 during the presidency of Barack Obama.[2]

In 2015, Sanchez was elected to serve on the board of the Bronx Young Democrats.[6] She also worked under Mayor of New York Bill de Blasio as senior advisor for housing, economic development and labor.[2]

New York City Council

Sanchez (third from right) with Bronx Democrats in early 2021

In the 2021 New York City Council election, Sanchez ran to replace Cabrera, her former boss.[6] Sanchez's campaign received the support of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU) and the New York City Central Labor Council.[7]

As a candidate, Sanchez advocated for universal after-school programs for college preparation and vocational training, and endorsed the creation of more worker cooperatives. On housing, Sanchez endorsed the creation of a right to counsel, rent cancellation, and direct funding for repairing New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) units.[8] Sanchez endorsed the defund the police movement in 2020.[9]

In the final count, Sanchez received 62.4 percent of the vote in the Democratic primary against runner-up Yudelka Tapia, who received 37.6 percent. Sanchez won the general election against Republican opponent Shemeen Chappell.[10] As of 2024, she serves as the City Council's chair of the housing and buildings committee.[11]

References

  1. ^ "Biography - Pierina Ana Sanchez". New York City Council. Retrieved 2022-04-08.
  2. ^ a b c d "BRONX BEAT – Council Member Pierina Ana Sanchez". Bronx Community College. 2021-12-08. Retrieved 2022-04-08.
  3. ^ Sánchez, Pierina (2021-10-21). "Building a Better Bronx". The Bronx Free Press. Retrieved 2022-04-08.
  4. ^ a b "#Changemakers: Pierina Sanchez MPA '14". Princeton School of Public and International Affairs. Retrieved 2022-04-08.
  5. ^ "How three new moms are changing the New York City Council". City & State NY. 2022-11-14. Retrieved 2024-10-27.
  6. ^ a b Giralt, José A. (2020-08-01). "Pierina Sanchez, from The Bronx to the White House and Back". Norwood News. Retrieved 2022-04-08.
  7. ^ Khurshid, Samar (2021-01-26). "New York's Activist Left and Organized Labor Begin Choosing Their Next City Council Class". Gotham Gazette. Retrieved 2022-04-08.
  8. ^ Parra, Daniel (2021-05-12). "14th City Council Race Has Attracted Big Bucks and Dueling Endorsements". City Limits. Retrieved 2022-04-08.
  9. ^ Brendlen, Kirstyn (2020-08-23). "Frustrated with NYPD, protesters march on the 5-0". The Riverdale Press. Retrieved 2022-04-08.
  10. ^ Gonzalez, Jason; Moloney, Síle (2021-11-01). "UPDATE: District 14 City Council Race: For Pierina Sanchez, It's About the Love". Norwood News. Retrieved 2022-04-08.
  11. ^ Parra, Daniel (2022-01-26). "Meet Your New NYC Council: Bronx Students Interview Their Reps". City Limits. Retrieved 2022-04-08.
Political offices
Preceded by Member of the New York City Council
from the 14th district
2022–present 		Incumbent