Cuomo wins assist from influential Queens lawmakers in mayoral race.
File Photograph by Mike Groll/Governor’s Workplace
A slew of Queens elected officers has formally endorsed former Governor Andrew Cuomo’s mayoral bid, following the backing of the Democratic Group of Queens County and its chairman, U.S. Rep. Gregory W. Meeks.
State senators Joseph P. Addabbo and Toby Ann Stavisky, Meeting Members David Weprin and Edward Braunstein, and Council Member Lynn Schulman all formally endorsed Cuomo’s mayoral bid Tuesday. They cited the previous governor’s file in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic and the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy. Additionally they touted Cuomo’s efficiency on points equivalent to marriage equality, abortion rights, and public security.
Cuomo, who resigned as governor in 2021 after a number of ladies accused him of sexual harassment, has been the clear frontrunner since asserting his bid for mayor and had already secured numerous endorsements from elected Democrats in Queens, with Meeks and the Democratic Group of Queens County asserting their endorsement on the group’s headquarters in Forest Hills on Sunday. Cuomo has constantly denied all allegations in opposition to him.
Meeting Members Stacey Pheffer Amato, Vivian Prepare dinner and Sam Berger have additionally formally endorsed Cuomo, whereas a coalition of black elected officers together with State Sen. James Sanders has urged voters to rank Cuomo first and Council Member Adrienne Adams second within the upcoming vote.
The slew of endorsements hand a serious increase to Cuomo’s marketing campaign and a blow to his different Queens-based opponents, together with Adams, Meeting Member Zohran Mamdani and State Sen. Jessica Ramos.
Adams and Mamdani did, nevertheless, choose up an endorsement from the Working Households Celebration on Sunday alongside Metropolis Comptroller Brad Lander and State Sen. Zellnor Myrie. State Sen. Leroy Comrie, in the meantime, dissented from the black coalition’s endorsement of Cuomo and threw his assist behind Adams. Meeting Member Khaleel Anderson and Council Member Nantasha Williams additionally broke with the coalition to assist Adams.
Cuomo, a self-described “Queens boy,” secured the newest 5 Queens endorsements on April 1 because of his file in public service.
Stavisky, for instance, touted Cuomo’s efforts to advertise marriage equality, codify Roe v. Wade into legislation, and cross the Dream Act throughout his governorship. The Dream Act offers undocumented and different college students entry to New York State‐administered scholar monetary assist to assist their greater training prices.
“I will support Andrew Cuomo when I vote for Mayor because New Yorkers can count on him to tackle crime, support our public schools, and create affordable housing,” Stavisky mentioned in a press release explaining her endorsement.
Addabbo, alternatively, mentioned Cuomo’s expertise is required to assist “turn this city around.”
“He navigated us through the COVID pandemic and helped us locally in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy, and he dealt with President Trump during his first term. It is that kind of experience that we need right now to witness better days ahead for our city,” Addabbo mentioned in a press release Tuesday.
Weprin mentioned Cuomo had helped facilitate progress that New Yorkers have “seen and felt,” whereas Braunstein described the previous governor because the “proven leader we need.”
Schulman, in the meantime, mentioned Cuomo had a “proven track record” of standout achievements in public workplace, together with his work advocating for older grownup housing whereas serving as HUD Secretary and combating for equal rights for the LGBTQ+ neighborhood whereas serving as governor.
“Having grown up around my district, Andrew Cuomo also understands the unique challenges my constituents face and will fight to ensure they get the services they need,” Schulman mentioned.
Cuomo’s opponents had beforehand accused the previous governor of shying away from criticizing President Donald Trump since asserting his candidacy for mayor in February, however the former governor delivered a decidedly anti-Trump speech when accepting the endorsement of the Democratic Group of Queens County Sunday. Cuomo advised the viewers that Queens have to be the place to “stand up” to the President and pledged that the “counter revolution starts here,” in accordance with a report within the Queens Every day Eagle.
