Badillo, Herman, 1929-2014

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Herman Badillo (August 21, 1929 – December 3, 2014) was a trailblazing Puerto Rican politician. Initially a member of the Democratic Party, he served as borough president of The Bronx and U.S. Representative from New York's 21st and 22nd congressional districts. Badillo was the first Puerto Rican elected to these posts. An unsuccessful five-time candidate for the Democratic nomination for Mayor of New York City, he was the first Puerto Rican mayoral candidate in a major city in the continental United States. Towards the end of his political career, he became a member of the Republican Party, unsuccessfully running for the Republican nomination for Mayor of New York in 2001.

Born in Caguas, Puerto Rico, he moved to New York City with an aunt in 1941. After briefly living with other relatives in Chicago and California, he eventually graduated from Haaren High School in Manhattan before attending the City College of New York, where he earned a B.B.A., and Brooklyn Law School, where he earned an LL.B. In 1955, he was admitted to the New York State Bar. The following year, he also became a certified public accountant. After joining the Caribe Democratic Club in 1958, Badillo held various offices within the City and State, including Bronx Borough President in 1966. Prior to that he served as New York Commissioner of Housing Preservation and Development.

In 1970 Badillo was elected to the United States House of Representatives from New York's 21st District in the South Bronx, becoming the first person born in Puerto Rico to represent a district in the continental United States and the first person of Puerto Rican descent to serve as a voting Member of Congress. He was re-elected for three subsequent consecutive terms. Throughout his tenure in the House, Badillo demonstrated a community-centered approach, spending significant amounts of time in his district. On November 29, 1977, Badillo stunned local political observers by announcing that he intended to resign from the House to serve as deputy mayor under Koch. After his relationship with Koch soured, he resumed practicing law in 1979.

In 1986 Badillo attempted to revive his political career, but his run for a statewide comptroller position was unsuccessful. In 1993 he joined Rudy Giuliani’s Republican-Liberal fusion ticket as a candidate for city comptroller. Though Giuliani narrowly won the mayoral election, Badillo lost to New York assemblyman Alan Hevesi. In 1998 Badillo officially switched his party affiliation to Republican. In his last campaign, Badillo lost the Republican mayoral primary to Mike Bloomberg in 2001. After his congressional career, Badillo held a variety of administrative positions and worked as an attorney. Consistent with his long-standing interest in education, he served as a trustee for the City University of New York (CUNY); Badillo served as vice chairman of the board from 1997 to 1999 and as chairman from 1999 to 2001. He died in Manhattan, New York.

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn Papers of Florynce Kennedy, (inclusive), (bulk), 1915-2004, 1947-1993 Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
referencedIn The Records of United Bronx Parents, Inc. 1966-1989 bulk 1970s-1983. Centro de Estudios Puertorriquenos
creatorOf Badillo, Herman, 1929-. Reminiscences of Herman Badillo : oral history, 1976. Columbia University in the City of New York, Columbia University Libraries
referencedIn Badillo, Herman Gerald R. Ford Library
contributorOf Outgoing Correspondence by Name - House: Badillo, Herman Gerald R. Ford Library
referencedIn Vasillov, Magda 1934-2006. Magda Vasillov negatives and photographs 1970-1980 Hostos Community College CUNY
referencedIn 241 - Badillo, Congressman Herman, [Not yet open but can be added to the Review Queue] Gerald R. Ford Library
referencedIn Guide to the Sam Reiss Photographs, circa 1930-1975 Tamiment Library and Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives
referencedIn Monserrat, Joseph, 1921-. Papers, 1953-1993; bulk: 1969-1973. New York State Historical Documents (Albany, N.Y.)
referencedIn Jacob Potofsky presidential correspondence, 1946-1974, 1960-1970 (bulk) Cornell University Library
referencedIn Monserrat, Joseph 1921-. Papers, 1953-1993 ; bulk: 1969-1973. Centro de Estudios Puertorriquenos
referencedIn Briefs, 1928-1976 Harvard Law School Library Langdell Hall Cambridge, MA 02138
referencedIn Wagner, Robert F. (Ferdinad), 1910-1991. Robert F. Wagner Personal Papers. 1895-1993. LaGuardia Community College Library Media Resources Center, Library Media Resources Center
referencedIn 44-30977, New York (1965-1966) Herman Badillo National Archives at College Park
creatorOf Badillo, Herman. Reminiscences of Herman Badillo : Oral history, 1994. Columbia University in the City of New York, Columbia University Libraries
referencedIn Joint Board, Fur, Leather & Machine Workers Union. Joint Board, Fur, Leather & Machine Workers Union. Additional photographs, 1919-1988. Cornell University Library
referencedIn Guide to the Daily Worker and Daily World Photographs Collection, 1920-2001 Tamiment Library and Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives
referencedIn ILGWU Communications Department Biography Files, Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation and Archives
referencedIn ILGWU. Communications Department biography files Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation and Archives
referencedIn National Union of Hospital and Health Care Employees. Series 1, Subseries 1, Sub-subseries 9. Ted Mitchell interviews, 1975-1976. Cornell University Library
referencedIn City Club of Cleveland Forum sound recordings, 1960-1989, 1948-2011 Cleveland State University
referencedIn New Democratic Coalition of New York. Records, 1960-1978. Rutgers University
creatorOf Badillo, Herman, 1929-. Herman Badillo : commercials, 1973-1986. University of Oklahoma, Political Community Archives
referencedIn Social Service Employees Union Photographs, Bulk, 1965-1995, 1952-2008 Tamiment Library and Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America. President. corporateBody
associatedWith Bronx (New York, N.Y.). Borough President. corporateBody
alumnusOrAlumnaOf Brooklyn Law School corporateBody
associatedWith City Club of Cleveland corporateBody
alumnusOrAlumnaOf City University of New York. City College corporateBody
associatedWith Communist Party of the United States of America. corporateBody
associatedWith Edwin, Ed, person
associatedWith International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union. Communications Dept. corporateBody
associatedWith International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union. Communications Dept. corporateBody
associatedWith Joint Board, Fur, Leather & Machine Workers Union. corporateBody
associatedWith Judd, Orrin G. person
associatedWith Kennedy, Florynce person
associatedWith Koch, Ed, 1924- person
associatedWith Koch, Ed, 1924-2013 person
associatedWith Metzger, John. person
associatedWith Monserrat, Joseph, 1921- person
associatedWith National Union of Hospital and Health Care Employees. corporateBody
associatedWith New Democratic Coalition of New York. corporateBody
associatedWith New York (N.Y.). Mayor. corporateBody
associatedWith Reiss, Sam. person
associatedWith Social Service Employees Union. Local 371. corporateBody
memberOf United States. Congress. House. corporateBody
associatedWith University of Oklahoma. Political Commercial Archive. corporateBody
associatedWith Vasillov, Magda 1934-2006. person
associatedWith Wagner, Robert F. (Ferdinad), 1910-1991. person
Place Name Admin Code Country
New York City NY US
Chicago IL US
Caguas PR PR
Subject
Advertising, political
Housing authorities
Politicians
Radio advertising
Television advertising
Occupation
Accountants
Borough President
City Government Official
Lawyers
Legislators
Politicians
Representatives, U.S. Congress
Activity

Person

Birth 1929-08-21

Death 2014-12-03

Male

Americans

English,

Spanish; Castilian

Information

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