Hypocrisy is making a bold comeback in the Bronx Democratic primary race for New York’s 15th Congressional District. Former Assemblyman Michael Blake is gunning for incumbent Rep. Ritchie Torres, accusing him of cozying up to the pro-Israel lobbying group AIPAC while conveniently erasing his own digital footprints of past support for the same cause. This political flip-flop is raising eyebrows and questions about integrity in a district that deserves better.
Let’s boil this down: Blake is challenging Torres with fiery rhetoric about prioritizing community needs over foreign policy ties, yet he’s been caught deleting old social media posts that show him praising AIPAC events he attended between 2014 and 2017.
Back in the day, Blake wasn’t shy about his pro-Israel stance. From 2014 to 2017, he attended AIPAC conferences, even posting photos with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and gushing about the experience online. Now, those posts are mysteriously gone, vanished as if they never existed.
Take a stroll down memory lane to 2017, when Blake tweeted under the handle MikeBlake1922, “Honored to share the AIPAC stage.” Funny how that honor seems to have expired now that he’s running against Torres, a staunch defender of Israel in Congress. One might wonder if political ambition has a delete button.
Blake’s current attacks on Torres paint a stark contrast to his past. He’s accused Torres of supporting what he calls a “genocide” and choosing AIPAC over pressing local issues like affordable housing in the 15th District, which spans neighborhoods from Allerton to Woodlawn in the Bronx. It’s a heavy charge, but the irony of Blake’s scrubbed history isn’t lost on critics.
New York Jewish activists aren’t buying Blake’s sudden change of heart. They’ve called his reversal opportunistic, suggesting he’s tailoring his views to fit the progressive winds of the moment rather than standing on principle. It’s a fair point—voters in the north and south Bronx deserve consistency, not convenience.
Torres, a former city councilman, has been a consistent voice for his district, which includes communities like Fordham, Mott Haven, and Riverdale. While Blake throws punches, Torres has stayed focused on local priorities like public housing, even as he’s weighed bigger political moves like a potential gubernatorial run before recommitting to his House seat.
Blake, on the other hand, has a history of electoral struggles, having finished eighth in a past New York City mayoral primary despite touting himself as pro-Israel at the time. His cross-endorsement of Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani contrasts with Torres’ support for ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo, showing their divergent paths within the Democratic Party. It’s a split that mirrors broader tensions among Democrats on issues like Israel.
The criticism of Blake isn’t just coming from activists. Mark Treyger, executive director of the Jewish Community Relations Council, sharply noted, “When you delete every pro-Israel post you ever made on the eve of an election, you’re not just throwing your Jewish friends under the bus—you’re deleting your sincerity and integrity in the process.” Ouch—that’s a burn hotter than a Bronx summer day.
Treyger’s point cuts to the core of why this matters. Voters in neighborhoods like Tremont and Morrisania aren’t looking for shape-shifters; they want leaders who own their past, not erase it. Blake’s digital cleanup feels less like growth and more like a calculated pivot.
Meanwhile, Torres’ campaign isn’t sitting quietly. Spokesman Benjamin Stanislawski fired back, stating, “Michael Blake is not interested in the Bronx; he’s only interested in using it to run for office for the fifth time, and the result will be the same as before: another loss.” It’s a jab that reminds us of Blake’s track record of unsuccessful bids.
Stanislawski didn’t stop there, adding that Torres has been a champion for the Bronx, focusing on affordability and standing firm against political headwinds. It’s a defense that paints Torres as a steady hand for constituents in Highbridge and Belmont, contrasting sharply with Blake’s apparent reinvention.
This primary clash isn’t just about Israel or AIPAC—it’s about trust. When a candidate like Blake deletes evidence of past positions, it fuels skepticism about whether he’s driven by conviction or just chasing votes in a district as diverse as Melrose and Spuyten Duyvil.
The broader Democratic landscape in New York adds another layer, with left-leaning challengers like Brooklyn Councilman Chi Osse reportedly eyeing a run against House Democratic Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. It signals a party at a crossroads, grappling with ideological divides that could reshape representation across the state.
Ultimately, the voters of the 15th District—from Bathgate to Williamsbridge—will decide who best represents their values. Torres appears rooted in his principles, while Blake’s past deletions cast a shadow over his credibility. As this primary heats up, one thing is clear: authenticity isn’t just a buzzword; it’s the currency of trust in politics.
