POLITICAL ARENA

Cabrera earns nod from former guv

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Gov. David Paterson, who led the state between the tenures of two embattled executives — Eliot Spitzer and Andrew Cuomo — is backing Councilman Fernando Cabrera in his quest to become the next Bronx borough president.

Paterson cited Cabrera’s “affordability agenda” that he says is “meeting the crisis that is most critical to Bronxites, who are being priced out of where they live.”

The former governor says Cabrera has “proven himself to be an effective and compassionate advocate for the communities he represents.”

Paterson isn’t the only former state leader jumping into more localized races. Former state attorney general Oliver Koppell announced Monday he’s backing the city council campaign of Abigail Martin to take over the seat currently held by Eric Dinowitz — the same seat Koppell himself once occupied.

“Abigail Martin is a fresh, independent voice who will represent the district without ties to the Democratic machine or the politics of the past,” Koppell said, in a release. “Abigail is a natural leader who has the knowledge, independence and broad support needed to win.”

Koppell originally backed Jessica Haller in the March special election that Dinowitz ultimately won. Haller is not running in the primary, and Martin did not run in the special election.

Martin picked up another endorsement also once held by Haller — “21 in ‘21,” a group pushing to create more gender equality on the city council.

The National League of Conservation Voters have not weighed in on the Bronx borough president race, but is taking a stand on two council races. The group is backing Dinowitz to keep the seat he won in March that once belonged to Andrew Cohen, and are looking to have Pierina Sanchez succeed Cabrera in his council seat.

“Amidst the climate crisis, New York City must be a beacon of hope and leadership on the environment, and serve as a role model for cities around the world,” said Julie Tighe, president of the conservation league, in a release.

Finally, Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez picked up her own endorsement for Bronx borough president, earning the backing of the Transport Workers Union Local 100.

“What is most telling about Nathalia is that we never had to ask for her support,” union president Tony Utano said.

David Paterson, Eliot Spitzer, Andrew Cuomo, Fernando Cabrera, Michael Hinman, Abigail Martin, Oliver Koppell, Eric Dinowitz, Jessica Haller, National League of Conservation Voters, Andrew Cohen, Pierina Sanchez, Julie Tighe, Nathalia Fernandez, Transport Workers Union Local 100, Tony Utano,

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