With Carrion Still in B.P. Office, Rivera Opts Out of Race (For Now)

Joel Rivera, a City Councilman who was running for Bronx borough president, has frozen his 2009 campaign account, saying he had to make a “calculated decision” because it’s not clear the incumbent, Adolfo Carrion Jr. is leaving for a job in the Obama administration.

“We had to make a calculated decision on whether to file for re-election or for the borough presidency,” said Rivera in a brief telephone interview this morning. "For now, since there is no special, we are running for reelection in September."

Rivera raised $207,451, and spent $179,451 for his borough president's race. Another candidate in the race, Assemblyman Ruben Diaz, Jr. has raised $141,156 and spent $46,807. Diaz, like other state legislators, are elected in even years. Rivera, and city lawmakers, are elected in odd years, meaning Diaz can run for borough president without giving up his seat. Rivera would have to vacate his Council seat to run for borough president if the race is in September, and risk being out of office.

The deadline for “freezing” 2009 campaign committees – and not having those spending limits and contributions count toward a current campaign, was January 15.

“If I didn’t freeze my committee, then there is no special, and I decide to run for re-election, I would not be able to raise or spend, because [my campaign would be] above the max for individual contributions and I spent a lot,” Rivera explained.

If Carrion does eventually get a job in the Obama administration and leave his office early, Rivera said he’ll ask the Campaign Finance Board to allow him to “reactivate” his 2009 campaign account.

Peter Vallone Jr. asked