POLITiCAL ARENA

Primary endorsements are still flooding in

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Some call it as valuable as a campaign donation, but endorsements are flowing out of New York City’s political establishment, with many ending up at the foot of candidates in local races.

Like the Alliance of South Asian American Labor endorsing Eric Dinowitz to continue in the city council seat he won during a special election last March.

“Every day, the ASAAL fights to ensure employment opportunities, workplace protections and dignity on the job for South Asian Americans working in our city,” Dinowitz said, in a release. “I unwaveringly stand with my brothers and sisters in labor.”

But some local electeds have expressed their voice in much larger elections, like U.S. Rep. Adriano Espaillat reversing his backing of city comptroller Scott Stringer and instead backing Eric Adams for mayor.

“Eric Adams has lived the life of the people who need help right now, and is the leader for this moment,” Espaillat said, in a release. “Eric will unite this city and deliver the safer, healthier, more prosperous city all New Yorkers deserve.”

In the meantime, former city councilwoman Ruth Messinger has thrown her support behind Mino Lora to replace Dinowitz on the council.

“Electing Mino Lora will put an immigrant, a Latinx, a woman, and an organizer on the city council,” said Messinger, who backed Jessica Haller in the March special election. “This will be good for her district, which is majority working people and half Latinx, and good for the city. She knows the challenges that New Yorkers face because she has lived them.”

Finally, if Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez does become the next Bronx borough president, she wants to work under a Mayor Maya Wiley. And it seems the feeling is mutual.

The two candidates cross endorsed each other, with Fernandez praising Wiley’s work fighting for people who “didn’t get what they deserved,” while Wiley said Fernandez had “fierce progressive values and leadership” in areas like the environment, public health and safety.

 

Bowman says there’s no room for hate

Hate crimes are on the rise in New York, and U.S. Rep. Jamaal Bowman is imploring his constituents that whenever they see such crime — especially anti-Semitism — to “speak up.”

“Violence begets violence, and hate begets hate,” the congressman said, in a release. “Both hate and violence beget a society that harms — and makes impossible — the healing necessary for us to reach our full potential. Acts of anti-Semitism move us backward, further from our collective goals, and further from cultivating a community wherein everyone can feel as though they are valued, respected — and, most importantly — safe to practice religion and live freely in their identity.”

Bowman has been on the wrong side of some local Jewish leaders, including Hebrew Institute of Riverdale rabbi Avi Weiss, who has challenged the congressman on his position when it comes to defending Israel.

 

Biaggi makes amends

State Sen. Alessandra Biaggi last week backed the New York Climate and Community Investment Act.

Supporters say the bill would invest billions in green jobs, while Biaggi believes it will help fight the respiratory ailments many in the borough suffer.

“We have an opportunity ... to make amends for the damage that has been done,” Biaggi said, in a release.

Alliance of South Asian American Labor, Eric Dinowitz, Adriano Espaillat, Scott Stringer, Eric Adams, Ruth Messinger, Mino Lora, Nathalia Fernandez, Maya Wiley, Michael Hinman, Jamaal Bowman, Hebrew institute of Riverdale, Avi Weiss, Alessandra Biaggi,

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