(New York, NY) - Citing the need for real reform in Albany, two Democrats who won citywide campaigns by pledging to fight for working families today threw their support behind Gustavo Rivera's run for State Senate in the Northwest Bronx.
Public Advocate Bill de Blasio and City Comptroller John Liu today joined the long line of progressive voices endorsing Gustavo Rivera.
"Gustavo Rivera and I share the belief in equal opportunities and access to good schools, quality health care, and affordable housing," said City Comptroller John C. Liu. "Gustavo is a true champion of working families and will fight every day to put the people of the Northwest Bronx first."
"It's no secret that we need real change in Albany and I believe Gustavo Rivera is the kind of reformer New Yorkers need fighting for them," said Public Advocate Bill de Blasio. "He will be a strong voice for issues New Yorkers care about including tenants' rights and for housing that is safe, secure and affordable. I am proud to endorse Gustavo's candidacy for the State Senate."
"I am honored to receive the backing of the City's top two Democrat elected officials today," said Gustavo Rivera. "John Liu and Bill de Blasio work hard every day for working families and I plan to follow their example in Albany. Across this city there is a growing recognition that Pedro Espada has failed our community, but this September we will have the chance to make a necessary change."
De Blasio and Liu both carried Rivera's Northwest Bronx Senate District handily during their campaigns for office last year, earning wide margins of victory over their rivals in both the Democratic primary and the subsequent runoff election.
Their endorsement tops off a huge week for the surging Rivera campaign, which is now also backed by other elected officials including: Former Bronx Borough President Fernando Ferrer; Former Mayor Ed Koch, Bronx Council Members: Fernando Cabrera, Oliver Koppell, Annabel Palma; Borough President Scott Stringer; Senators: Liz Krueger, Eric Schneiderman; Assembly Members: Adriano Espaillat, Daniel O'Donnell; and Council Members: Margaret Chin, Daniel Dromm, Daniel Garodnick, Robert Jackson, Brad Lander, Jessica Lappin, Melissa Mark-Viverito, Jumaane Williams. Labor unions that endorsed Rivera include Transport Workers Union, Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, AFL-CIO, 1199 SEIU, SEIU 32BJ, CIR SEIU, New York State Nurses Association, Communication Workers of America Local 1180, United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1500, Freelancers Union, Hotel and Motel Trades Council and Organization of Staff Analysts. Democratic clubs endorsing Rivera include 504 Democratic Club, Benjamin Franklin Reform Democratic Club, Jim Owles Democratic Club, Stonewall Democratic Club and Northwest Bronx for Change. Progressive groups that endorsed Rivera include Citizen Action, 21st Century Democrats, New Roosevelt Initiative and Working Families Party. Rivera is also the preferred candidate of Citizens Union.
