City Councilman Ruben Diaz Sr, a leading candidate for Congress who has been criticized for making homophobic remarks, is urging leniency for a gay high school student convicted of stabbing a classmate to death in 2017.

Diaz, a pentecostal minister, made the comments in a letter to Bronx Judge Michael Gross, arguing that Abel Cedeno is also a “victim” in the case because he was bullied and public school educators failed to address the problem.

“Since his arrest, Abel, who is a Christian, has turned to me many times for spiritual guidance, sharing with me some of the incredible bullying and racially charged offensives he faced as a gay Puerto Rican in the New York City public school system,” Diaz wrote.

“Abel told me that he was constantly being bullied and that there were racial issues and gang issues involved. “

Cedeno fatally stabbed Matthew McCree, a fellow student at the Urban Assembly School for Wildlife Conservation, after the victim allegedly tossed a ball of paper or pen at him and a fight started.

Cedeno, now 19, was convicted in July for killing McCree and faces life in prison on multiple counts at his sentencing, which is set for Tuesday.

Diaz urged the judge to grant youthful offender status since he had no previous criminal record, which would dramatically reduce his sentence behind bars.

“In my capacity as a New York City Council Member representing the 18th Council District, as a Pentecostal Minister Pastor of the Christian Community Neighborhood Church and as the President of the New York Hispanic Clergy Organization, I write this letter to respectfully request for Abel Cedeño to be adjudicated as a youthful offender,” Diaz said in the letter to Gross.

Diaz said Cedeno had never been in a gang and “felt cornered.”

“As Abel’s teachers and guidance counselors ignored him, he continued to be bullied, ridiculed and victimized. To him, there was no one to turn to,” the councilman said.

“Abel is devastated by what resulted in his terrible decision to bring a knife to school, and he is trying to come to terms with God, seeking spiritual guidance at his church, and seeking the therapy,” Diaz continued.

Diaz argued that Cedeno has compassion for others, saying the teen donated his hair to make wigs for children ravaged by cancer.

Diaz has provided support for Cedeno and his family since his arrest.

During the verdict, Judge Gross rejected Cedeno’s claim that he had acted in self defense.

The Post reported Sunday that Diaz Sr. who son Ruben Jr. is the Bronx borough president, is considered the leading candidate to succeed retiring Rep. Serrano in the 15th congressional district covering the south Bronx. Progressive activists are looking to rookie Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to help block Diaz Sr. from winning the seat and becoming her neighboring congressman in The Bronx.

The socially conservative minister is considered the candidate to beat despite his long held opposition to abortion, gay marriage and backing of Republican candidates. He came under fire earlier this year and was stripped of a committee chairmanship after telling a Spanish-language TV station that the council was “controlled by the homosexual community.”