Gonzalo Duran

Gonzalo Duran was born in New York City and, in a Ballotpedia survey response, describes himself as born, raised, and educated in the Bronx.[1][3] He earned a high school diploma from DeWitt Clinton High School and a bachelor's degree from Fordham University in 2014.[3] Duran served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 2003 to 2011; he describes reaching the rank of Sergeant and completing a tour in Iraq.[3] He describes himself as CEO of Devil Dog USA Inc., a chaplain, and host of a veterans talk show called Vet Talk, and says his nonprofit work helps veterans transition back into their communities.[3]

In politics, Duran is vice chairman of the Bronx Conservative Party and, per his campaign materials, a district leader for the 79th Assembly District.[2][3] In February 2026 he wrote that he had left the Democratic Party about three years earlier and had accepted the Bronx Conservative Party's endorsement for Congress.[2] He ran for New York City Council District 17 in 2023 on the Conservative Party line, receiving 4.2%, and for NY-15 in 2024 on the Republican and Conservative lines, losing to Torres 76.2% to 21.0%.[3] Duran announced a 2025 mayoral bid in November 2024 but appeared on the November 2025 ballot as a candidate for Public Advocate, losing to Jumaane Williams with 24.5% on the Republican, Conservative, and United Alliance lines.[3][5] He received 1.7% of the vote to Ritchie Torres's 76.8%, according to unofficial results reported by NBC News.[4]