Born in 1985 in the Bronx, Gonzalo Duran’s story is as New York as it gets—equal parts hardship, resilience, and ambition. Today, as a candidate for Public Advocate, he seeks to bring a new kind of leadership to City Hall: one rooted in service, faith, and accountability.
A Childhood in the Bronx
Raised in Crotona Park East, Duran attended DeWitt Clinton High School, where he studied animal science and once dreamed of becoming a veterinarian. He wrestled, played football, volunteered at the ASPCA, and took zoology courses at the Bronx Zoo. Even as a teen, his focus was less on grades and more on experiences that prepared him for a life of service.
Service and Sacrifice
On his 18th birthday, Duran enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, becoming the first in his family to serve. He rose to Sergeant, deployed to Iraq in 2008, and returned home in 2011. What awaited him was not celebration, but struggle: he experienced homelessness firsthand.
This adversity defined his next chapter. While attending Fordham University, he helped a fellow veteran secure housing—a simple act that exposed systemic failures. Veterans using GI Bill benefits were denied apartments for lack of conventional income paperwork. Out of that injustice, Duran founded Devil Dog USA Inc., a nonprofit that has since assisted thousands of veterans. His advocacy drew media coverage from Fox, CBS, and ABC, shining light on the quiet battles veterans faced after service.
Faith and Chaplaincy
During his work with veterans, Duran reconnected with his faith. He became ordained as a chaplain with the New York State Chaplain Workers Federation, where he now directs veteran and community services. For Duran, the chaplaincy is more than a title—it is a reminder that leadership is service, not self-interest.
A Political Awakening
Years of advocacy opened Duran’s eyes to the political realities of New York City. He speaks openly about the “Democratic machine” that dominates city politics, stressing that he is not against Democrats as individuals, but against entrenched systems that stifle competition.
A registered Conservative Party member, Duran identifies as a moderate. He believes his role is to serve as a bridge. He champions fiscal responsibility, term limits, and parental rights, but he also seeks to connect with Democrats. “We may disagree on ideology,” he says, “but we want the same things: safety, opportunity, accountability.”
A Platform for Reform
Among his key proposals:
- Election Integrity: voter ID laws and fair ballot access.
- Fiscal Reform: reducing wasteful spending, reforming city budgets.
- Parental Rights in Education: focus on reading, writing, math—before ideology.
- Immigration: legal pathways and secure borders.
- Second Amendment: supports the right to bear arms, though he personally refrains from carrying due to his military experience.
- Abortion: supports exceptions for rape, incest, and medical necessity, but opposes abortion as contraception.
Inspiration and Philosophy
Duran draws lessons from George Washington’s humility and Donald Trump’s defiance, two figures who shaped his leadership style. For him, conservative politics means restoring faith in institutions, cutting through jargon, and putting people first.
Resistance and Resilience
The Bronx has not made it easy. Local institutions and media outlets often ignore him. The ballot system, he says, is built to favor incumbents. Yet Duran has filled county committees, recruited candidates, and grown Conservative Party registration in the Bronx.
His campaign is a mix of grit and hope. He has partnered with the New York Young Republican Club, launched youth mentorship programs, and championed grassroots energy in neighborhoods where conservatives are rare.
The Closing Word
His message is as much personal as political:
“I was born in the Bronx. I grew up on food stamps. I have no wealth, no family connections, no machine behind me. But I’ve served my country, raised two children, rung the Nasdaq bell, and helped thousands through my nonprofit. Now, I am running to show that the American Dream is still alive. If I can do it, so can you. And it is worth fighting for.”
For Duran, the Public Advocate’s office is not a stepping stone—it is a mission to hold the government accountable and restore trust between the people and City Hall.
Learn more at gonzaloduran.nyc or follow @GonzaloDuranNYC.
