Herman Badillo, the first Puerto Rican-born congressman, former Bronx borough president, and a six-time candidate for New York City mayor, died Dec. 3 at New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center. He was 85.
His son, David, cited complications from congestive heart failure, according to the New York Times.
"He was a trailblazer who fought for and won significant victories for civil rights, voting rights and anti-poverty programs," said city comptroller and former Manhattan borough president Scott Stringer. "During a long and distinguished career, Mr. Badillo served as a role model for the Bronx and gave a voice to one of our city's most significant Latino populations."
Badillo was born Aug. 21, 1929, in Caguas, Puerto Rico, as an only child. Among his many political roles over 40 years, he served four terms in Congress, ran for state and city comptroller, served as a deputy and counsel under mayors Ed Koch and Rudolph Giuliani, respectively, and served the City University of New York as a trustee and later board chairman.
"He came to New York City an orphan and left it a legend," said Mayor Bill de Blasio.
Badillo was the first Puerto Rican borough president in the Bronx, holding that office from 1966 to 1970. Running out of the South Bronx, he earned national headlines with his election to Congress in 1970, edging future City Council President Peter Vallone in a rough-and-tumble Democratic primary. Badillo served four terms in Washington.
"He was a true Bronxite and the epitome of a passionate leader who truly cared for his community," said current Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.
Badillo strived to become the city's first Puerto Rican mayor but fell short. He finished second to eventual winner Abraham Beame in a four-way 1973 Democratic primary.
