Buzz: Serrano challengers lining up

While it could happen at any point, there’s nada to indicate that Rep. José E. Serrano is thinking of going off into the sunset just yet. “As far as I know, he’s not contemplating retiring,” a bochinchero assured me recently. When I said nobody knew about Illinois Rep. Luis Gutiérrez’s plans to leave the House, they said: “Gerson, we could all die tomorrow.” OK. And yet there are lenguas sueltas (loose tongues) in the Bronx again saying they will run for Serrano’s seat.

The latest is Marlene Cintrón, president of the Bronx Overall Development Corp. “She would run if it was an open race to replace Joe and a certain individual was in the race,” an insider veteran bochinchero said. Of course, I asked who that certain individual might be, City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito? The bochinchero responded, “No comment.” B&B has since learned that Assemblyman Michael Blake is the one gearing up to challenge Serrano. And Assemblyman Marcos Crespo also expressed interest to insiders – only after Serrano retires. It appears that, for now, Serrano only has to worry about the ambitious Blake. However, when Serrano retires there’s going to be a stampede of congressional wannabes in the Boogie Down Bronx.

Bochinche & Buzz is Gerson Borrero's weekly column of exclusive scoops and insider gossip. Remember, gente, it's all bochinche until it's confirmed.