Incumbent Ritchie Torres (D) defeated Michael Blake (D) and Jose Vega (D) in the Democratic primary for New York's 15th Congressional District on June 23, 2026. As of April 2026, Torres and Blake led in endorsements, fundraising, and local media attention.
USA Today's Kathryn Palmer said Blake was "hanging his platform on Torres' ardent support of Israel during the brutal Israel-Hamas war − an issue that has deeply divided sections of the Democratic party." In an interview, Blake said he was "running for Congress because the Bronx deserves better than Richie [sic] Torres...We need to focus on cost of living. We have to focus on how people need us to help them with groceries as opposed to Richie’s [sic] helping to support a genocide." Spectrum News' Dan Rivoli quoted Torres spokesman Benny Stanislawski as saying, "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. There’s a reason Bronx voters trust Ritchie Torres. He’s been their champion in Congress."
Torres was first elected in 2020. He was a member of the New York City Council from 2013 to 2021. Torres ran on his record in office. A Torres campaign ad said he "took on [the New York City Housing Authority]'s fight to make sure our repairs get done...he endorsed a bill that made sure low income housing received free Internet. This is the man for Congress." Spectrum News' Dan Rivoli said, "Torres’ spokesman credited the congressman for federal aid to the city’s public hospital system, and to a study on capping the Cross Bronx Expressway to build parks there."
Blake was, as of the 2026 elections, the chief executive officer of Atlas Strategy Group and the Kairos Democracy Project. Blake earlier worked as a staffer to U.S. Sen. and Pres. Barack Obama (D). He served as a vice chairman of the Democratic Party during the first Donald Trump (R) Administration and was a member of the New York Assembly from 2015 to 2021. Blake said he would focus on affordability. Blake said, "So when we think about why elect me: think about cost of living and affordability...Think about a new vision when it comes to education."
As of June 2026, major election forecasters rated the general election Solid/Safe Democratic. In 2024, Torres defeated Gonzalo Duran (R) 76.2%–21.0%.
