Kevin Christopher Riley (born November 16, 1987) is an American politician. A Democrat, he serves as the New York City Councilmember for the 12th district. The district includes Wakefield, Olinville, Edenwald, Eastchester, Williamsbridge, Baychester, Co-op City in The Bronx.[1][2]
Kevin Riley | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the New York City Council from the 12th district | |
| Assumed office January 6, 2021 | |
| Preceded by | Andy King |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 16, 1987 New York City, U.S. |
| Party | Democratic |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | State University of New York, Old Westbury (BA) Metropolitan College of New York (MPA) |
| Website | Official website Campaign website |
Early life and education
editRiley grew up and lives in Baychester, The Bronx. He graduated from Mount Saint Michael Academy in Wakefield before attending State University of New York at Old Westbury where he received a B.A. and an M.P.A. from Metropolitan College of New York. He has two daughters and one son.[3]
Career
editPrior to running for office, Riley was an aide to Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie for ten years.[4] He was also a Democratic Male District Leader for the 83rd Assembly District.[5]
New York City Council
editOn December 22, 2020, Riley won a special election in the 12th district following the expulsion of Council Member Andy King. Riley outraised his opponents and received a significant amount of endorsements from high-ranking elected official and unions, which some attributed to his close relationship to Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, one of the most powerful politicians in the State.[6] He was sworn in on January 6, 2021, and named chair of the Subcommittee on Landmarks, Public Sitings, and Dispositions.[citation needed]
On the proposed City of Yes plan to increase housing supply in New York City, Riley said, "Some of these reforms make a lot of sense. The problem is that the proposal doesn’t identify the specific housing needs that different types of neighborhoods have."[7]
Electoral history
edit2025
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Kevin Riley (incumbent) | 13,662 | 75.4 | |
| Democratic | Andy King | 4,343 | 24.0 | |
| Write-in | 119 | 0.7 | ||
| Total votes | 18,124 | 100.0 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Kevin Riley (incumbent) | 28,065 | 90.4 | |
| Republican | Franchie Muniz Sr. | 2,035 | 6.6 | |
| Conservative | James Washington-Ward | 651 | 2.1 | |
| United Alliance | James Washington-Ward | 222 | 0.7 | |
| Total | James Washington-Ward | 873 | 2.8 | |
| Write-in | 61 | 0.2 | ||
| Total votes | 31,034 | 100.0 | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
2023
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Kevin Riley (incumbent) | 5,882 | 81.7 | |
| Democratic | Pamela A. Hamilton-Johnson | 902 | 12.5 | |
| Democratic | Aisha Hernandez Ahmed | 396 | 5.5 | |
| Write-in | 20 | 0.3 | ||
| Total votes | 7,200 | 100.0 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Kevin Riley (incumbent) | 9,557 | 92.8 | |
| Republican | Dewayne R. Lee | 692 | 6.7 | |
| Write-in | 54 | 0.5 | ||
| Total votes | 10,303 | 100.0 | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
2021
edit| Party | Candidate | Maximum round |
Maximum votes |
Share in maximum round |
Maximum votes First round votes Transfer votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Kevin Riley (incumbent) | 3 | 9,595 | 59.1% |
| |
| Democratic | Pamela A. Hamilton-Johnson | 3 | 6,643 | 40.9% |
| |
| Democratic | Shanequa Moore | 2 | 3,660 | 21.1% |
| |
| Write-In | 1 | 209 | 1.2% |
| ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Kevin Riley (incumbent) | 17,959 | 99.6 | |
| Write-in | 80 | 0.4 | ||
| Total votes | 18,039 | 100.0 | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
2020
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Justice & Unity | Kevin Riley | 4,879 | 68.1 | |
| Social Change | Pamela A. Hamilton-Johnson | 1,747 | 24.4 | |
| Write-in | 299 | 4.2 | ||
| Bronx 12 Matters | Neville Mitchell | 236 | 3.3 | |
| Total votes | 7,161 | 100.0 | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
References
edit- ↑ "Biography". Kevin Riley. Retrieved 2021-01-17.
- ↑ "Biography". Riley for The Bronx. Retrieved 2021-01-17.
- ↑ Cohen, Jason (2020-12-11). "Baychester resident Kevin Riley is ready to serve District 12". Bronx Times. Retrieved 2021-01-17.
- ↑ Coltin, Jeff (2021-01-07). "Kevin Riley, NYC's newest City Council member". City & State NY. Retrieved 2021-01-17.
- ↑ "Kevin C. Riley | New York City Campaign Finance Board". www.nyccfb.info. Retrieved 2021-01-17.
- ↑ Coltin, Jeff (2020-12-22). "Nothing special about Tuesday's Bronx election". City & State NY. Retrieved 2021-01-17.
- ↑ Brand, David (2024-10-21). "NYC Council agrees housing crisis needs a fix, but many members question Mayor Adams' plan". Gothamist.
- ↑ "DEM Council Member 12th Council District". Vote NYC. New York City Board of Elections. July 22, 2025. Retrieved June 18, 2026.
- ↑ "00201100012Bronx Member of the City Council 12th Council District Recap.pdf" (PDF). Vote NYC. New York City Board of Elections. December 2, 2025. Retrieved June 18, 2026.
- ↑ "DEM Council Member 12th Council District". Vote NYC. New York City Board of Elections. July 22, 2025. Retrieved June 18, 2026.
- ↑ "00201600012Bronx Member of the City Council 12th Council District Recap.pdf" (PDF). Vote NYC. New York City Board of Elections. December 5, 2023. Retrieved June 18, 2026.
- ↑ "DEM Council Member 12th Council District". Vote NYC. New York City Board of Elections. July 20, 2021. Retrieved June 18, 2026.
- ↑ "00200700012Bronx Member of the City Council 12th Council District Recap.pdf" (PDF). Vote NYC. New York City Board of Elections. November 30, 2021. Retrieved June 18, 2026.
- ↑ "00200500012Bronx Member of the City Council 12th Council District Recap.pdf" (PDF). Vote NYC. New York City Board of Elections. January 5, 2021. Retrieved June 18, 2026.