Justin Sanchez

Justin Sanchez
Member of the New York City Council
from the 17th district
Assuming office
January 1, 2026
SucceedingRafael Salamanca
Personal details
Born (1991-07-17) July 17, 1991 (age 35)
The Bronx, New York, U.S.
PartyDemocratic
EducationCUNY School of Labor and Urban Studies (BA)
New York University (MPA)
Fordham School of Law (JD candidate)

Justin Sanchez (born July 17, 1991) is an American politician representing the 17th district of the New York City Council since 2026. He is a Democrat.

Early life and education

Sanchez is the grandchild of immigrants: his grandmother came to New York from the Dominican Republic and his grandfather from Puerto Rico. He attended the University of Richmond but dropped out due to financial reasons, then graduated from the CUNY School of Labor and Urban Studies with a Bachelor of Arts in urban studies as valedictorian and New York University with a Master of Public Administration. Currently, he is a law student at Fordham Law School.

Career

2017 New York City Council campaign

In 2017, Sanchez ran for the New York City Council's 14th district against incumbent Fernando Cabrera. He withdrew before the Democratic primary election after irregularities were found in his petitions. He was on the ballot in the general election on the Liberal Party line, placing 4th with 3.8% of the vote.

2025 New York City Council campaign

After working as a community board liaison for Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. and chief of staff for state senator Nathalia Fernandez, Sanchez ran for the 17th District in 2025. His chief opponent in the Democratic primary was Freddy Perez Jr., a district leader for the 84th Assembly District, who was endorsed by outgoing Councilmember Rafael Salamanca. Sanchez won the June primary with 62% of the vote.

Sanchez's slogan for the general election campaign was "Clean the Damn Streets", focusing on quality-of-life issues in his South Bronx district, beginning with trash and litter on the streets. He won the general election with 86% of the vote.

Political positions

Sanchez chairs the Sanitation and Solid Waste Committee of the NYC Council. He is a member of the Progressive Caucus in the City Council, and, along with Chi Ossé, he serves as co-chair of the LGBTQ+ Caucus.

Personal life

Sanchez is openly gay. He lives in Melrose.

Electoral history

2025

2025 New York City Council Democratic primary, District 17
Party Candidate Maximum
round		 Maximum
votes		 Share in
maximum
round		 Maximum votes
  First round votes   Transfer votes
Democratic Justin Sanchez 4 4,536 62.1%
​​
Democratic Antirson R. Ortiz 4 2,769 37.9%
​​
Democratic Freddy Perez Jr. 3 1,842 22.0%
​​
Democratic Elvis L. Santana 2 1,512 16.4%
​​
Write-In 1 90 1.0%
​​
2025 New York City Council election, District 17
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Justin Sanchez 14,577 77.4
Working Families Justin Sanchez 1,611 8.6
Total Justin Sanchez 16,188 86.0
Republican Rosaline Nieves 1,983 10.5
Conservative Marisol Duran 608 3.2
Write-in 54 0.3
Total votes 18,833 100.0
Democratic hold

2017

2017 New York City Council election, District 14
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Fernando Cabrera (incumbent) 9,826 83.7
Working Families Randy D. Abreu 1,222 10.4
Republican Alan H. Reed 411 3.5
Conservative Alan H. Reed 101 0.9
Total Alan H. Reed 512 4.4
Liberal Justin Sanchez 177 1.5
Write-in 7 0.1
Total votes 11,744 100.0
Democratic hold

References

  1. 1 2 "Biography - Justin Sanchez". New York City Council. Retrieved 30 April 2026.
  2. 1 2 Capote, Anthony (May 12, 2017). "Sanchez wants old-school politics". Riverdale Press. Retrieved July 1, 2025.
  3. ↑ Capote, Anthony (September 29, 2017). "Former council candidate cries foul after primaries". Riverdale Press. Retrieved July 1, 2025.
  4. 1 2 Calixto, Jonathan (May 21, 2025). "Justin Sanchez: 'Running a Bronx Race' for City Council". New York City News Service. Retrieved 30 April 2026.
  5. ↑ Brown, Sadie (May 22, 2025). "Bronx Council District 17 race heats up as four candidates vie to replace Salamanca". Bronx Times. Retrieved 30 April 2026.
  6. ↑ Jackson, Kaylen (January 26, 2026). ""Clean the Damn Streets" candidate Justin Sanchez sworn in as Council Member for District 17". Bronx Times. Retrieved 30 April 2026.
  7. ↑ Tracy, Matt (February 9, 2026). "Chi Ossé and Justin Sanchez named co-chairs of the City Council's LGBTQIA+ Caucus". Gay City News.
  8. ↑ "DEM Council Member 17th Council District". Vote NYC. New York City Board of Elections. July 20, 2021. Retrieved June 21, 2026.
  9. ↑ "00201100017Bronx Member of the City Council 17th Council District Recap.pdf" (PDF). Vote NYC. New York City Board of Elections. December 2, 2025. Retrieved June 21, 2026.
  10. ↑ "00202200014Bronx Member of the City Council 14th Council District Recap.pdf" (PDF). Vote NYC. New York City Board of Elections. November 28, 2017. Retrieved June 21, 2026.