City Council District 12 in the northeast Bronx has been without representation since October, when Andy King was expelled.

Its new council member will be chosen December 22 in the first of five special elections before 2021's full-term races usher in a new class of lawmakers.

What You Need To Know

  • Kevin Riley is a Carl Heastie aide who founded several peer groups including Black fathers

  • Pamela Hamilton-Johnson is a community activist and would be the first woman elected to the District 12 seat

  • Neville Mitchell is a public defender who's worked high-profile cases and wants a better path for youth

  • Andy King, expelled for alleged ethics violations, wants Brian Melford as his successor

Three candidates are on the ballot.

The winner will serve out King’s term through 2021.

Kevin Riley is a district leader, aide to Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and founder of peer groups including one celebrating Black fatherhood.

"I went through a lot of bumps and trials and tribulations growing up," Riley said. “Anytime I would stray down the wrong road, this district and mentors and people within this district and organizations saved my life and and put me on the right path. This district has led me my entire life and I think it’s now time for me to step up and lead the district through this pandemic.”

Pamela Hamilton-Johnson is a community activist who founded and directs a community center.

She says she’d advocate for this district’s devastated small businesses.

She’s backed by 21 in ’21, a group working to elect more women to the council.

“We need to change the narrative," Hamilton-Johnson said. "When women are in office, we bring, we champion women’s issues, we’re more nurturing, we’re understanding. And I’m the candidate who’ll be the voice of all, not just the voice of those who donate to me.”

Neville Mitchell is a public defender with the Legal Aid Society's homicide task force. 

His clients have included the minor charged in connection to the murder of Tessa Majors and the families of Sean Bell and Ramarley Graham.

He says the district's young people need resources, guidance and hope.

“I’ve been exposed to what I perceive to be the underbelly of what’s going on with our children," Mitchell said. "I mean, are our children being educated to lead productive lives or are they being told that they’re not worth anything?”

The candidates say their working-class community — hit hard by COVID — is desperate for a committed leader.

Before King, the district was represented by Larry Seabrook, convicted on federal corruption charges.

King’s historic expulsion came for alleged ethics violations. 

He's named aide Brian Melford as his preferred successor.

Melford didn’t make the ballot, having submitted some paperwork late, but says he’s still running.

Early voting starts Dec. 12.