New York City’s 2025 Primary Election Day is six days from Wednesday, and News 12 is introducing you to some of the candidates you’ll see on the ballot.    

Freddy Perez Jr. is a Marine veteran who was born in Puerto Rico and moved to the South Bronx as a child.  

Now he’s seeking the open City Council seat in District 17.   

“I have a vast resume when it comes to city government, state government and private business,” said Perez. 

That resume includes the last 16 years serving Community Board 1, as well as working under several City Council members, state assembly members and state senators. 

Perez’s private business, a print shop, is located near the street named in honor of his late father, Freddy Perez Sr., who was an advocate for the livery industry in the 1970s and 1980s. 

“In this very lot next to us, where you have the Forman Mills and the planning board, my father used to do the biggest festival for the taxi industry in the South Bronx,” said Perez. 

Perez said he’s looking to bring more support to the same area.  

The Democrat said his top priorities are crime, housing and tackling the opioid crisis - making sure that those who are suffering have the proper resources.  

“On Day 1, I am going to sit with every CEO, executive director of every single one of these substance abuse programs, look at their contracts and say, ‘You’re not doing this and you’re not doing this,” said Perez.  

Perez told News 12 he spent half a century in his community and wants to give back. 

“I promise you I’m going to clean this place up because I'm from here and I've lived with you this whole time,” said Perez. “And I want to see this place flourish.”  

News 12 requested interviews with all the top-funded candidates in the district race.       

Click on News 12's Power & Politics section to check them out.