Former Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. endorsed ex-Governor Andrew Cuomo on Thursday for NYC Mayor. He made the announcement at an occasion held by Teamsters Native 237.
Lloyd Mitchell
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A giant title within the Bronx political world is backing former Gov. Andrew Cuomo for NYC Mayor—a blow to incumbent Mayor Eric Adams
Former Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. endorsed Cuomo Thursday at a press convention, marking a departure from the longtime Bronx politician’s assist for Adams. He made the endorsement together with the Teamsters union.
“At this point in time New York City needs a steady hand,” Diaz Jr., whereas on the Teamsters’ Native 237 Manhattan workplace. “Someone who is a strong leader that can deal with the issues we face in our own homes, in our streets, in our city and even nationally.”
Diaz joins U.S. Rep. Ritchie Torres, who’s reportedly weighing a run for Governor, as certainly one of two main political figures from the Bronx to endorse Cuomo. Torres threw his assist behind Cuomo in February, earlier than the previous governor even formally launched his marketing campaign.
The Adams marketing campaign, which has been suffering from authorized troubles, and extra just lately by accusations of a quid professional quo take care of President Donald Trump, secured Diaz Jr.’s endorsement within the 2021 Mayoral race. Many credited Diaz Jr. for delivering Adams the assist of Latino voters due to his many years of public service within the Bronx.
Diaz Jr. mentioned Thursday that he’s “wholeheartedly, 100% endorsing” Cuomo, and didn’t point out Adams in any respect.
Diaz Jr.’s language, whereas making the announcement Thursday, echoed that of the ex-governor’s, who described an “out of control” metropolis in disaster when he formally introduced March 1.
The previous Borough President mentioned Cuomo could be good for the Bronx, highlighting Bronx infrastructure initiatives that Cuomo began such because the Reconstruction at Bruckner-Sheridan Interchange within the South Bronx and the Metro-North Penn Station Entry Challenge.,
Diaz Jr. added that the ex-governor was a supporter of the Hip Hop Museum, granting practically $4 million {dollars} to the venture from the state’s financial funding fund, Empire State Improvement.
Cuomo resigned from workplace in 2021 stemming from a number of sexual misconduct allegations. His administration additionally confronted criticism for its dealing with of nursing houses throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
Most Bronx elected officers haven’t publicly endorsed a candidate for mayor, though within the 2021 Mayoral election Council Member Diana Ayala (D-8), Council Member Oswald Feliz (D-15), Council Member Kevin Riley (D-12) and Council Member Rafael Salamanca Jr. (D-17) all threw their assist behind Mayor Adams.
This 12 months, a handful of Bronx leaders have known as on Mayor Adams to step down amid the federal corruption investigation and indictment together with Feliz, Meeting Member Karines Reyes (AD-87), State Senator Gustavo Rivera (SD-33), and U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez.
