New York City’s 2025 primary elections are two weeks from Tuesday, and News 12 is introducing you to some of the candidates you’ll see on the ballot.      

Wilfredo Lopez is vying for the open City Council seat in District 8.  

He said his top priorities are affordability, public safety and delivering city services.    

The Democrat was born in New Jersey and raised in Puerto Rico. He moved to the South Bronx about a decade ago, where his family has roots dating back to the 1950s. 

“I feel I’m the best candidate [for District 8] based on not only my qualifications, but my drive and passion,” Lopez said. “I am someone who is tireless. I go home at night, and I continue working, doing research, figuring out how other municipalities have dealt with issues.”       

The 44-year-old is a husband, father to a 19-month-old boy, an attorney and previously worked for City Councilmember Ben Kallos.   

“I know how to attack these problems,” Lopez said. “I know what it takes to deal with city agencies, with the multiple layers of bureaucracy.” 

He said those problems include affordability, delivering city services and public safety.  

“We really do need a well-rounded definition of public safety,” said Lopez. 

He said another priority is helping small businesses.  

At Lopez’s request, News 12 conducted the interview at Beatstro, which is a minority-owned restaurant on Alexander Avenue in Mott Haven that, Lopez said, was a resource during the Covid-19 pandemic.  

“Now they’re struggling,” Lopez said. “So, I have made it part of my mission to help struggling small business owners, like the owners of Beatstro, to make sure that they continue to be part of the fabric of the community.”  

It’s a community Lopez lives in and looks to represent. 

“Whether you decide to support me or not, I'm still going to be a councilmember for everyone,” Lopez said. “I’m still going to have my door open, give everyone my phone number because I want to be accessible and I want to be reachable.”   

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.