Top Bronx pol Crespo won’t seek reelection

ALBANY — Assemblyman Marcos Crespo, the head of the Bronx Democratic Party, is not running for reelection.

The powerful Bronx lawmaker announced Friday in a letter to constituents that instead of seeking a return to Albany next year, he will “pursue opportunities outside of government.” Sources said Crespo (inset) will also step down from his county leadership position later this year.

The 39-year-old was first elected to the Legislature in 2009 and unanimously elected chairman of the Bronx County Democratic Committee in 2015, replacing Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie. His decision to head for the exits came as a surprise to some in the borough.

“It was a shock,” said Assemblyman Michael Benedetto

(D-Bronx). “He is in his prime. This is someone who was comfortable with the leadership, negotiating this very difficult time very well. And when you have somebody of that quality and caliber and you lose them it will be hard to replace.”

The move comes just weeks after Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. decided to drop his 2021 mayoral bid, announcing too he would be retiring from public office at the end of his term. Crespo was widely seen as a likely successor for the beep position, but some said there were rumblings in recent weeks that the party was considering a different approach.

One source said the political landscape in the Bronx was forever changed in 2018 as newcomers like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Alessandra Biaggi toppled longtime party leaders.