Fernando Cabrera (politician)

Fernando Cabrera (born April 18, 1964) is the Council member for the 14th District of the New York City Council. He is a Democrat. The district includes Claremont Village, Fordham, Kingsbridge, Marble Hill, Morris Heights, Mount Eden, Mount Hope and University Heights in The Bronx.

Cabrera was born in The Bronx to a Dominican father and Puerto Rican mother. He received a B.A. in Religion from Southern California College, a M.A. in Counseling from Liberty University and Doctorate in Education from Argosy University.

Fernando Cabrera has proudly served as the New York City Council Member representing the 14th district in the Bronx since January 2010. His leadership positions in the NYC Council include Chair, Juvenile Justice Committee and Co-chair of the Gun Violence Task Force and former chair of the Technology Committee. Cabrera is a member of the Black, Latino & Asian Caucus.

Cabrera is the senior pastor of New Life Outreach International in the Kingsbridge area of the Bronx. He is the former program director for the Mental Health and Counseling program at Mercy College.

In 2014, Cabrera challenged Senator Gustavo Rivera in the Democratic primary, but lost 60% to 40%.

Incumbent Maria Baez' popularity decreased due to her low attendance rate, and supporting the extension of term limits. Fernando Cabrera challenged Baez to a primary election for the Democratic nomination. But with the backing of The Bronx Democratic Committeeand the endorsement of key unions, Cabrera was able defeat the incumbent by just over 1% difference in three-way race that included Yudelka Tapia. Cabrera followed that by winning the general election against Republican Yessenia A. Duran and Conservative Lisa Marie Campbell.

Since 2010, Cabrera has introduced numerous local laws and resolutions in the City Council addressing diverse issues including juvenile justice, health, mental health, children and youth, domestic violence, education, technology, public safety, environment, housing, transportation, veterans, first responders, human rights, poverty and elections. Cabrera's legislation enacted by City Council include Introduction 0048-2014, to require owners of multiple dwellings to post in English and Spanish the availability of the housing information guide for tenants and owners; Introduction 0046-2014, to require that missing or damaged traffic control signals must be repaired or replaced within 24 hours of notification of defect or absence and to implement alternative traffic control measures if repair or replacement will take more than 24 hours; Introduction 0984-2012, to require the New York City Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications to create and maintain an interactive crime mapping website; Introduction 0262-2010 requiring elimination of excessive lighting requirements to save energy; Introduction 0128-2014, requiring community planning boards to receive an annual report submitted to the mayor regarding projected and actual jobs created and retained in connection with projects undertaken by certain contracted entities for the purpose of job creation or retention; Introduction 0049-2014 to require the Department of Buildings to notify appropriate Council Members and Community Boards whenever an application for a new building permit or alteration that will require a new certificate of occupancy for a building is received or denied; Resolution 0553-2015 calling on the New York State Legislature to pass and the Governor to sign legislation which would allow early voting in New York State; Resolution 0159-2014 calling on the United States Congress to pass and the President of the United States to sign S.2182, the Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act, expanding and improving care provided to veterans and service members with mental health disorders or at risk for suicide; Resolution 1155-2011 calling upon the New York State Legislature to pass and the Governor to sign legislation amending the New York State Education Law to afford houses of worship equal access to school property; Resolution 0999-2011 authorizing the New York City Department of Citywide Administrative Services to donate surplus city-owned computers, computer software and computer equipment to public and private institutions for secular educational use and to not-for-profit institutions for use by individuals with disabilities, senior citizens, or low income individuals.