Nelson Castro (politician)

Nelson Castro (born January 25, 1972) is an American politician from the state of New York. A Democrat, he served in the New York State Assembly representing the 86th district, which covers the University Heights, Tremont, and Fordham sections of the Bronx.

Elected in 2008, he succeeded Luis Diaz and is the first Dominican to represent the Bronx in the State Assembly. He took office in January 2009, and resigned in April 2013 as part of a non-prosecution agreement with the US Attorney's Office and the Bronx District Attorney's Office.^[1][2][3]

Biography

Nelson Castro was born on January 25, 1972, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, arriving in New York City at the age of 11, where he was enrolled in the public school system. Along with his mother and brother, they had to abruptly relocate to the state of Michigan, where he completed high school at Berrien Springs High and continued his undergraduate studies at Andrews University, earning a bachelor's degree in Business Administration. There he became co-founder of the Latin American Student Club. Upon his return to New York, he also attended Empire State College. In the summer of 1994, he returned to New York and moved into an apartment in the West Bronx.

Nelson was able to get first-hand experience by serving as chief of staff for Adriano Espaillat, state Assemblyman for the 72nd District. There he handled cases from immigration to housing to domestic violence, among others. In November 2008, Nelson Castro made history by becoming the first Dominican American elected to public office in the Bronx.

For over 10 years, Nelson has contributed to the development of communities of color in the West Bronx, as well as in upper Manhattan. His public service career solidified with his involvement in organizations such as the Children Arts & Science Workshop, the American Latin Association of New York (ALANY), the UMCED, the Washington Heights and Inwood Coalition, the Dominican Community Service Center, Plaza Las Americas, the Washington Heights Arts Center, and Dominicans 2000. These organizations focused on providing different services to people of limited resources. Within these organizations, Nelson occupied various capacities ranging from co-founder, director, president of the board, or simply being an active member.

Nelson continues to work on the well-being of the community. He continues to reside in the Bronx. He is an active member of ALANY and the Inwood and Marble Hill Chamber of Commerce, serving as board member or advisor. He has also recently established the organization “We Are United for Progress,” and is a founding influence in the Dominican American Civil Rights Council. Simultaneously, he dedicates himself to working with different organizations and groups that represent the senior population to offer them a better option in their comprehensive medical coverage.

Nelson has published various articles on the importance of the right to vote and has participated in public forums that have encouraged people to exercise their right to vote. Asked of his greatest accomplishments, Nelson says, “Having made history by becoming the first Dominican American elected to public office in the Bronx and my children.” He is a father of his daughter, Jennel (16) and son, Christopher (11).

He was sentenced to 3 years for perjury.

References

External links

• Assembly website
• Campaign website