Fernando Cabrera is known as one of the most socially conservative members of the City Council. But the pastor who once drew fire for his anti-gay rights rhetoric has moderated his positions over the years, and is now a leading contender for Bronx borough president, having far out-raised the competition.

He’s among five contenders for the seat that’s been occupied for the past 12 years by Ruben Diaz Jr. Four of them are current lawmakers.

Councilwoman Vanessa Gibson boasts the longest list of endorsements in the race, with broad support from elected officials, unions and advocacy groups. She would be the first non-Latino borough president in 35 years, and the first woman.

But she's not the only one seeking that distinction; State Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez is running with support from some prominent progressives, including mayoral candidate Maya Wiley.

Perhaps the thorniest issue in the Bronx is housing, which the candidates jostled over at our NY1 debate last month.

Fernandez pressed Cabrera on his campaign contributions. "How can Bronxites really trust that you are fighting for good housing when you've taken campaign donations from some of the worst landlords in New York City?" she asked.

"I've been able to have the only district -- unlike your district -- where we have not experienced gentrification,” Cabrera answered.

Gibson also touted her record on housing: "I am very proud to have supported a number of affordable housing projects in my council district,” she said. “Whether it was through the neighborhood Jerome rezoning plan, or individual land use applications."

Another lawmaker in the race, State Senator Luis Sepulveda, was arrested on domestic violence charges in January. He resisted calls to resign his office and withdraw from the race, but his candidacy has gained little traction.

A fifth candidate, Sammy Ravelo, is a Gulf War veteran and retired NYPD lieutenant who likes to highlight that he's the only non-elected official in the race.