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My name is Gonzalo Duran. I was born and raised in the Belmont section of the Bronx, the son of a single mother who immigrated from El Salvador in pursuit of a better life. We were raised on public assistance, but my mother’s determination taught me resilience, responsibility, and service. Those values shaped who I am and continue to guide my work today.
I graduated from DeWitt Clinton High School in 2003, where I remained active in school and community life. I wrestled competitively, volunteered with the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, worked at a local supermarket, and pursued early college coursework, including zoology at the Bronx Zoo. On my eighteenth birthday, I made a defining decision and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps.
I served eight years on active duty, attained the rank of Sergeant, and deployed to Iraq in 2008. The Marine Corps instilled discipline, leadership, and a deep sense of duty. When I returned home in 2011, I faced the difficult transition many veterans experience. While raising two children as a devoted father, I endured periods of homelessness and employment instability. I refused to surrender to those challenges and rebuilt my life through education and perseverance.
In 2014, I graduated from Fordham University with a Bachelor of Science in Health Science. I went on to serve the community through roles at the Bronx Veterans Affairs office and the Bronx Labor Department. Yet I became increasingly frustrated by systems that managed problems instead of solving them.
In 2013, I founded Devil Dog USA Incorporated to advocate for veterans and working families in the Bronx. As Chief Executive Officer, I led initiatives focused on mental health awareness, suicide prevention, workforce development, and combating homelessness. Our advocacy helped lead to the passage of New York City Local Law 119 in 2017, recognizing the GI Bill as lawful income for veterans seeking housing.
Concerned by the economic pressures facing the Bronx, I stepped into public service to fight for accountability and opportunity. I currently serve as District Leader for the 79th Assembly District and Vice Chairman of the Bronx Conservative Party. Today, I am running for the United States Congress in New York’s 15th Congressional District to ensure the Bronx has a strong, credible voice and a future built on action, dignity, and hope.
Gonzalo Duran
“Progress remains stagnant without the force of action.”