Herman Badillo
Encyclopedia
Herman Badillo is a Bronx, New York politician who has been a borough president
, United States Representative, and candidate for Mayor of New York City
. He was the first Puerto Rican to be elected to these posts and be a mayoral candidate in the continental United States.
. When he was 11 years old, both of his parents died of tuberculosis
and he was sent to live with his aunt in New York City
. After graduating from the public school system, Badillo attended and earned a Bachelor's degree
from the City College of New York
in 1951. In 1954, he received an LL.B.
from Brooklyn Law School
graduating first in his class. The next year he was admitted to the New York State Bar. In 1956, he also became a certified public accountant
.
Democratic
Club" and has since then held various offices within the City and State, including Bronx Borough President
in 1965. Prior to becoming the Borough President, he served as New York Commissioner of Housing Preservation and Development.
from New York's 21st District in the South Bronx, thus becoming the first Puerto Rican to so serve. He was also re-elected for three subsequent consecutive terms. He was also a member of the Committee on Education and Labor.
In 1976 he was challenged by South Bronx
Councilman Ramon Velez in a contest for the Democratic Party nomination for Congressman of the 21st District. Badillo, however, was reelected easily with 75 percent of the vote. In December of that year, he was one of the five Latino members of Congress who established the Congressional Hispanic Caucus
. Largely by his efforts, job training for unemployed non-English
speaking citizens were included in the "Comprehensive Manpower Act of 1973".
Badillo also served on the Banking, Finance and Urban Affairs Committee, and the Small Business Committee where he had a seat on the Minority Enterprise and General Oversight Sub-committee. During his time in office he supported legislation intended to counteract various types of discrimination including age and marital status discrimination in employment.
Although he would later become a vociferous opponent of bilingual education
, as a congressman Badillo was one of the first champions of funding for bilingual education programs. Some proponents of bilingual and ESL
education, and opponents of English immersion
, have attacked Badillo for his newfound opposition to Spanish-language teaching. He was also a critical player in the reauthorization of the Voting Rights Act and the inclusion of its language access provisions. During his tenure in Congress, he became an important national spokesperson for federal investment in urban centers.
, 1981 and 1985, coming closest on his second try, when he was defeated by then-New York City comptroller Abe Beame in a runoff primary
. In 2001, Badillo unsuccessfully sought the Republican mayoral nomination, losing badly to billionaire businessman and political neophyte Michael Bloomberg, who would later prevail in the general election.
of New York City under Mayor Ed Koch
, a position he held until September 1979. Badillo was one of seven deputy mayors appointed by Koch for the first portion of his administration. As a deputy mayor, Badillo handled labor relations and community outreach for Koch. In a major public disagreement with Mayor Koch over the lack of support for his program to revitalize the South Bronx, Badillo resigned his post. Some argue that Badillo made a major career mistake in giving up his Congressional post for this appointed position under Mayor Koch.
for governor over Koch during the 1982 Democratic Primary. In late 1983 Cuomo appointed Badillo Chairman of the State of New York Mortgage Agency
. In 1985 Badillo considered a bid for mayor against Koch in the Democratic Primary. In 1986, Badillo was the Democratic nominee for New York State Comptroller
, losing to Republican incumbent Edward Regan. During these years Badillo was also active in Presidential politics, supporting Alan Cranston
for the Democratic Presidential Nomination in 1984 and Michael Dukakis
in 1988.
basis with Republican Rudy Giuliani
. He also sought the Democratic nomination, but finished third, behind Alan Hevesi
and the incumbent Comptroller, Elizabeth Holtzman
. In the general election, although Giuliani won the mayoralty, Badillo lost to Hevesi. For the general election, Badillo was the nominee of the Republican and Liberal Parties.
.
In his capacity as Giuliani's education advisor, Badillo advocated increased Mayoral control of the public schools and a revamped curriculum; he was also Giuliani's liaison to the City's Board of Education. As CUNY Chairman, Badillo organized a successful effort to end open enrollment and revamp the curriculum. These actions gained him some support among conservatives, but alienated him from the mainstream of the Puerto Rican political leadership, which had been his traditional base.
There is a school in Buffalo, New York
called P.S. 76 Herman Badillo Community School.
" to the New York City law firm of Sullivan Papain Block McGrath & Cannavo P.C. In 2006, he joined the conservative Manhattan Institute
of Policy Research as a senior fellow. In January 2011, Badillo joined national personal injury law firm Parker Waichman Alonso as a senior counsel in its New York office.
In contrast to the support he gave to bi-lingual education during his early career, his book attacks what he describes as obstacles to assimilation, such as bilingual education, and urges Hispanics to eschew government solutions and adopt instead the cultural values that have made previous generations of American immigrants prosperous and successful. His view is that Hispanics will soon make up 25% of the population of the United States and that their failure to excel would be tragic for them and the nation.
Borough president
Borough President is an elective office in each of the five boroughs of New York City.-Reasons for establishment:...
, United States Representative, and candidate for Mayor of New York City
Mayor of New York City
The Mayor of the City of New York is head of the executive branch of New York City's government. The mayor's office administers all city services, public property, police and fire protection, most public agencies, and enforces all city and state laws within New York City.The budget overseen by the...
. He was the first Puerto Rican to be elected to these posts and be a mayoral candidate in the continental United States.
Early years
Badillo was born in Caguas, Puerto RicoCaguas, Puerto Rico
Caguas , founded in 1775, is a city and municipality of Puerto Rico located in the Central Mountain Range of Puerto Rico, south of San Juan and Trujillo Alto, west of Gurabo and San Lorenzo, east of Aguas Buenas, Cidra, and Cayey....
. When he was 11 years old, both of his parents died of tuberculosis
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis, MTB, or TB is a common, and in many cases lethal, infectious disease caused by various strains of mycobacteria, usually Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis usually attacks the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body...
and he was sent to live with his aunt in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. After graduating from the public school system, Badillo attended and earned a Bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
from the City College of New York
City College of New York
The City College of the City University of New York is a senior college of the City University of New York , in New York City. It is also the oldest of the City University's twenty-three institutions of higher learning...
in 1951. In 1954, he received an LL.B.
Bachelor of Laws
The Bachelor of Laws is an undergraduate, or bachelor, degree in law originating in England and offered in most common law countries as the primary law degree...
from Brooklyn Law School
Brooklyn Law School
Brooklyn Law School is a law school located in Brooklyn Heights, in Downtown Brooklyn, New York.-History:Founded in 1901 by William Payson Richardson and Norman P. Heffley, Brooklyn Law School was the first law school on Long Island. Using space provided by Heffley’s business school, the law...
graduating first in his class. The next year he was admitted to the New York State Bar. In 1956, he also became a certified public accountant
Certified Public Accountant
Certified Public Accountant is the statutory title of qualified accountants in the United States who have passed the Uniform Certified Public Accountant Examination and have met additional state education and experience requirements for certification as a CPA...
.
Early political career
In 1958, Badillo joined the "CaribeCaribbean
The Caribbean is a crescent-shaped group of islands more than 2,000 miles long separating the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, to the west and south, from the Atlantic Ocean, to the east and north...
Democratic
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
Club" and has since then held various offices within the City and State, including Bronx Borough President
Borough president
Borough President is an elective office in each of the five boroughs of New York City.-Reasons for establishment:...
in 1965. Prior to becoming the Borough President, he served as New York Commissioner of Housing Preservation and Development.
U.S. House of Representatives
In 1970, Badillo was elected to the United States House of RepresentativesUnited States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
from New York's 21st District in the South Bronx, thus becoming the first Puerto Rican to so serve. He was also re-elected for three subsequent consecutive terms. He was also a member of the Committee on Education and Labor.
In 1976 he was challenged by South Bronx
South Bronx
The South Bronx is an area of the New York City borough of The Bronx. The neighborhoods of Tremont, University Heights, Highbridge, Morrisania, Soundview, Hunts Point, and Castle Hill are sometimes considered part of the South Bronx....
Councilman Ramon Velez in a contest for the Democratic Party nomination for Congressman of the 21st District. Badillo, however, was reelected easily with 75 percent of the vote. In December of that year, he was one of the five Latino members of Congress who established the Congressional Hispanic Caucus
Congressional Hispanic Caucus
The Congressional Hispanic Caucus comprises 21 Democratic members of the United States Congress most of whom are of Hispanic origin. The Caucus is dedicated to voicing and advancing, through the legislative process, issues affecting Hispanics and Latinos in the United States and Puerto Rico...
. Largely by his efforts, job training for unemployed non-English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
speaking citizens were included in the "Comprehensive Manpower Act of 1973".
Badillo also served on the Banking, Finance and Urban Affairs Committee, and the Small Business Committee where he had a seat on the Minority Enterprise and General Oversight Sub-committee. During his time in office he supported legislation intended to counteract various types of discrimination including age and marital status discrimination in employment.
Although he would later become a vociferous opponent of bilingual education
Bilingual education
Bilingual education involves teaching academic content in two languages, in a native and secondary language with varying amounts of each language used in accordance with the program model.-Bilingual education program models:...
, as a congressman Badillo was one of the first champions of funding for bilingual education programs. Some proponents of bilingual and ESL
ESL
ESL is a common abbreviation for English as a Second Language, see English language learning and teaching.ESL may also refer to:-Companies:...
education, and opponents of English immersion
Immersion
Immersion may refer to:* Immersion therapy overcoming fears through confrontation* Baptism by immersion* Immersion Games a developer of video games...
, have attacked Badillo for his newfound opposition to Spanish-language teaching. He was also a critical player in the reauthorization of the Voting Rights Act and the inclusion of its language access provisions. During his tenure in Congress, he became an important national spokesperson for federal investment in urban centers.
Mayoral campaigns
He sought unsuccessfully the Democratic nomination for mayor of New York in 1969, 1973, 1977New York City mayoral election, 1977
The New York City mayoral election of 1977 occurred on Tuesday, November 8, 1977.Incumbent mayor Abraham Beame, a Democrat, was challenged by five other Democrats, including Representative Ed Koch, New York Secretary of State Mario Cuomo, and feminist activist and former Representative Bella Abzug...
, 1981 and 1985, coming closest on his second try, when he was defeated by then-New York City comptroller Abe Beame in a runoff primary
Primary election
A primary election is an election in which party members or voters select candidates for a subsequent election. Primary elections are one means by which a political party nominates candidates for the next general election....
. In 2001, Badillo unsuccessfully sought the Republican mayoral nomination, losing badly to billionaire businessman and political neophyte Michael Bloomberg, who would later prevail in the general election.
Deputy Mayor of New York City
Badillo resigned from Congress on December 31, 1977 to become deputy mayorDeputy Mayor
Deputy mayor is an elective or appointive office of the second-ranking official in many local governments. Many elected deputy mayors are members of the city council who are given the title and serve as acting mayor in the mayor's absence...
of New York City under Mayor Ed Koch
Ed Koch
Edward Irving "Ed" Koch is an American lawyer, politician, and political commentator. He served in the United States House of Representatives from 1969 to 1977 and three terms as mayor of New York City from 1978 to 1989...
, a position he held until September 1979. Badillo was one of seven deputy mayors appointed by Koch for the first portion of his administration. As a deputy mayor, Badillo handled labor relations and community outreach for Koch. In a major public disagreement with Mayor Koch over the lack of support for his program to revitalize the South Bronx, Badillo resigned his post. Some argue that Badillo made a major career mistake in giving up his Congressional post for this appointed position under Mayor Koch.
Post City Hall career and State Comptroller campaign
After leaving City Hall, Badillo worked as an attorney in New York City. He supported Mario CuomoMario Cuomo
Mario Matthew Cuomo served as the 52nd Governor of New York from 1983 to 1994, and is the father of Andrew Cuomo, the current governor of New York.-Early life:...
for governor over Koch during the 1982 Democratic Primary. In late 1983 Cuomo appointed Badillo Chairman of the State of New York Mortgage Agency
State of New York Mortgage Agency
The State of New York Mortgage Agency is a public authority created in 1970 by the state government of New York to provide affordable homeownership to low- and moderate-income New Yorkers. It offers affordably priced fixed-rate mortgages through several mortgage programs for eligible homebuyers...
. In 1985 Badillo considered a bid for mayor against Koch in the Democratic Primary. In 1986, Badillo was the Democratic nominee for New York State Comptroller
New York State Comptroller
The New York State Comptroller is a state cabinet officer of the U.S. state of New York. The duties of the comptroller include auditing government operations and operating the state's retirement system.-History:...
, losing to Republican incumbent Edward Regan. During these years Badillo was also active in Presidential politics, supporting Alan Cranston
Alan Cranston
Alan MacGregor Cranston was an American journalist and Democratic Senator from California.-Education:Cranston earned his high school diploma from the old Mountain View High School, where among other things, he was a track star...
for the Democratic Presidential Nomination in 1984 and Michael Dukakis
Michael Dukakis
Michael Stanley Dukakis served as the 65th and 67th Governor of Massachusetts from 1975–1979 and from 1983–1991, and was the Democratic presidential nominee in 1988. He was born to Greek immigrants in Brookline, Massachusetts, also the birthplace of John F. Kennedy, and was the longest serving...
in 1988.
City Comptroller campaign
In 1993, Badillo, though still a Democrat, campaigned for Comptroller of New York City on a "fusion"Electoral fusion
Electoral fusion is an arrangement where two or more political parties on a ballot list the same candidate, pooling the votes for that candidate...
basis with Republican Rudy Giuliani
Rudy Giuliani
Rudolph William Louis "Rudy" Giuliani KBE is an American lawyer, businessman, and politician from New York. He served as Mayor of New York City from 1994 to 2001....
. He also sought the Democratic nomination, but finished third, behind Alan Hevesi
Alan Hevesi
Alan G. Hevesi is a Democratic politician whoserved as a New York State Assemblyman from 1971 to 1993, as Comptroller of the City of New York from 1994 to 2001, and as State Comptroller for the State of New York from 2003 to 2006...
and the incumbent Comptroller, Elizabeth Holtzman
Elizabeth Holtzman
Elizabeth Holtzman is an American lawyer and former Democratic politician, pioneer woman officeholder, four term U.S. Representative , two term District Attorney of Kings County , and New York City Comptroller .Her role on the House Judiciary Committee during the Watergate scandal drew national...
. In the general election, although Giuliani won the mayoralty, Badillo lost to Hevesi. For the general election, Badillo was the nominee of the Republican and Liberal Parties.
Giuliani Administration and CUNY Chairmanship
Badillo had a series of jobs with the Giuliani administration, he serving as the mayor's Special Counsel on education policy and as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the City University of New YorkCity University of New York
The City University of New York is the public university system of New York City, with its administrative offices in Yorkville in Manhattan. It is the largest urban university in the United States, consisting of 23 institutions: 11 senior colleges, six community colleges, the William E...
.
In his capacity as Giuliani's education advisor, Badillo advocated increased Mayoral control of the public schools and a revamped curriculum; he was also Giuliani's liaison to the City's Board of Education. As CUNY Chairman, Badillo organized a successful effort to end open enrollment and revamp the curriculum. These actions gained him some support among conservatives, but alienated him from the mainstream of the Puerto Rican political leadership, which had been his traditional base.
Republican Party switch and 2001 Mayoral campaign
During the late 1990s, Badillo formally joined the Republican Party. He resigned as education special counsel and CUNY Chairman when he announced his candidacy for Mayor in 2001. Despite his strong support of Mayor Giuliani, Badillo never received serious support from Giuliani or the Republican Party during his bid for Mayor, losing badly the Republican primary to billionaire Michael Bloomberg, who had just switched from Democrat to Republican, as Badillo had done earlier.Publications and Buffalo, NY School
- Milton Haynes. "A Bill of No Rights: Attica and the American Prison System" (New York: Outerbridge and Lazard, Inc., 1972)
- "Plain Talk: The Politics of Administration" (Greenvale, N.Y.: Department of Health and Public Administration, C.W. Post Center, Long Island University, c1981)
- "One Nation, One Standard: An Ex-Liberal on How Hispanics Can Succeed Just Like Other Immigrant Groups" (New York: Sentenil, 2006).
There is a school in Buffalo, New York
Buffalo, New York
Buffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City. Located in Western New York on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River across from Fort Erie, Ontario, Buffalo is the seat of Erie County and the principal city of the...
called P.S. 76 Herman Badillo Community School.
Current career
Badillo is now dedicated to his law practice in New York. In 2005 he became "of counselOf counsel
Of counsel is often the title of an attorney who is employed by a law firm or an organization, but is not an associate or a partner. Some firms use titles like "counsel," "special counsel," and "senior counsel" for the same concept...
" to the New York City law firm of Sullivan Papain Block McGrath & Cannavo P.C. In 2006, he joined the conservative Manhattan Institute
Manhattan Institute
The Manhattan Institute for Policy Research is a conservative, market-oriented think tank established in New York City in 1978 by Antony Fisher and William J...
of Policy Research as a senior fellow. In January 2011, Badillo joined national personal injury law firm Parker Waichman Alonso as a senior counsel in its New York office.
New book
His first published book, written at age 77 and released on December 28, 2006, One Nation, One Standard: An Ex-Liberal on How Hispanics Can Succeed Just Like Other Immigrant Groups, Penguin (December 28, 2006), hardcover, 256 pages, ISBN 1595-23019-X, ISBN 13 978-1595-23019-5, generated major controversy within the Latino community before it was even published because of an inflammatory article in the New York Post (Dec. 19, 2006, p. 8) announcing its release. In the book, Badillo criticizes what he perceives as a lax work ethic among Hispanics, who he contends do not value education as much as other historically impoverished, but successful, immigrants, such as Asian-Americans.In contrast to the support he gave to bi-lingual education during his early career, his book attacks what he describes as obstacles to assimilation, such as bilingual education, and urges Hispanics to eschew government solutions and adopt instead the cultural values that have made previous generations of American immigrants prosperous and successful. His view is that Hispanics will soon make up 25% of the population of the United States and that their failure to excel would be tragic for them and the nation.
1986 NYS Democratic Ticket
- Governor: Mario CuomoMario CuomoMario Matthew Cuomo served as the 52nd Governor of New York from 1983 to 1994, and is the father of Andrew Cuomo, the current governor of New York.-Early life:...
- Lieutenant Governor: Stan LundineStan LundineStanley Nelson Lundine is a politician from Jamestown, New York who served as Mayor of Jamestown, a United States Representative, and lieutenant governor of New York. A Democrat, he was inaugurated Mayor in 1970 and served to 1976 when he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives after the...
- Comptroller: Herman Badillo
- Attorney General: Robert AbramsRobert AbramsRobert Abrams is an American lawyer and politician.-Life and career:He graduated from Columbia College and the New York University School of Law. He is considered a member of the reform wing of the Democratic Party.Abrams was a member of the New York State Assembly representing the Bronx from 1966...
- U.S. Senate: Mark J. GreenMark J. GreenMark J. Green is an author, public interest lawyer and a Democratic politician who lives in New York City. He worked with Ralph Nader from 1970-1980, eventually as director of Public Citizen's Congress Watch, and is also the former president of Air America Radio .He was New York City Consumer...
1993 NYC Republican and Liberal ticket
- Mayor: Rudy GiulianiRudy GiulianiRudolph William Louis "Rudy" Giuliani KBE is an American lawyer, businessman, and politician from New York. He served as Mayor of New York City from 1994 to 2001....
- Public Advocate: Susan Alter
- Comptroller: Herman Badillo
External links
- "Of Counsel Profile" - biography on law firm website
- Hispanic Americans in Congress--Badillo
- Puerto Rico Herald: Puerto Rico Profile: Herman Badillo
- http://www.nyccfb.info/debates_vg/voter_guides/primary_2001/cd_statements/m_hbadillo.htmNew York City Campaign Finance BoardNew York City Campaign Finance BoardThe New York City Campaign Finance Board is an independent, nonpartisan agency of the City of New York. It was created in 1988 in the wake of several political corruption scandals. It gives public matching funds to qualifying candidates, who in exchange submit to strict contribution and spending...
: The 2001 Voter Guides] - Badillo for Mayor Endorsement by the New York Press.
- Manhattan Institute Scholar Herman Badillo
- Badillo Lashes Latinos
- Badillo Is Said to Be Switching to the Republicans
- The best candidate won't win this time by George WillGeorge WillGeorge Frederick Will is an American newspaper columnist, journalist, and author. He is a Pulitzer Prize-winner best known for his conservative commentary on politics...
- Stalled in America (Why one Hispanic immigrant is being trashed for his blueprint for success)