The race for a seat on the Bronx Civil Court has gotten a lot more interesting, thanks to some upper-level political machinations. A coalition of legislators opposing Bronx Democratic party leader and Assemblyman Jose Rivera, have backed an opponent to Rivera’s pick for the open judgeship.

A coalition of Democratic party stalwarts and longtime dissenters (termed the “Rainbow Rebellion” by the Daily News) headed by Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, have thrown their support behind Elizabeth A. Taylor.

Taylor, a Bronx native and former board member of the Bronx Bar Association, founded and heads the Thurgood Marshall Junior Mock Trial Program for middle school students.

Rivera is backing Maria Matos, a former assistant attorney general of New York State and current head of the Puerto Rican Bar Association.

Dinowitz says his support for Taylor rested on her qualifications and independence, especially at a time of increased scrutiny of political influence on judges.

The Democratic primary race has become a point of contention in the Bronx political world.

Five state Assembly members currently back Taylor — Aurelia Greene, Carl Heastie, Michael Benjamin, Ruben Diaz, Jr., and Dinowitz.

Diaz, Jr. cites Taylor’s role in the Thurgood Marshall program, calling her a leader in “creating opportunities for our youth.”

Diaz cites a breached commitment Rivera made with the African-American community to appoint an African -American candidate for the judgeship this cycle. “He decided to walk away from that. You have to find the best qualified,” Diaz said. “I am a Hispanic Puerto Rican supporting an Afro-American candidate. Jose Rivera is supporting a Puerto Rican candidate. He believes in Puerto Rican power.”

“Right now, my focus is not on the politics,” says Taylor. “My focus is to get out to all the citizens of Bronx County with my qualifications.”

Similarly, Matos says she’s “trying to stay above the fray,” and wants the focus to be on her qualifications as an experienced lawyer and a law clerk for the Bronx Supreme Court. “It’s hard [being in the middle of a political struggle], and a real eye-opening experience,” Matos said. “I try not to listen to the gossip mill and all that stuff.”

Carmen Goldberg, Matos’ campaign manager, agreed, saying Matos “has separated completely from whatever politically is going on. She is campaigning based on her experience.”

Jose Rivera could not be reached for comment.

At a public theatre performance at Williamsbridge Oval Park a couple of weeks ago, Matos and Taylor both showed up to mingle and campaign. Dinowitz escorted Taylor to the event, while Goldberg assisted Matos.

“Does this [race] have ramifications? I don’t know,” Dinowitz said. “I am disappointed that there isn’t more of an effort being made to unify the party right now.”     —Emma Jacobs