Gustavo Rivera, one of several candidates looking to unseat State Sen. Pedro Espada, Jr. in the 33rd Senate District, has been endorsed by Bill Samuels and his organization, the New Roosevelt Initiative.
“Rivera is simply the strongest candidate to challenge Espada and I urge everyone who wants a better legislature to unite behind him,” said Samuels in a statement.
Samuels, a businessman, activist, and, until recently, a candidate for lieutenant governor, also pleaded with the other candidates — Daniel Padernacht, Desiree-Pilgrim Hunter, and Fernando Tirado — to step aside and unite behind Rivera. (John Reynolds of the Green Party is also running.)
“I have great respect for Desiree Pilgrim-Hunter and the rest of the candidates, but a divided field of candidates only increases the likelihood that Espada get re-elected and continues his reign of corruption and leading the dysfunction in Albany,” Samuels added in a statement announcing the endorsement.
On Tuesday, Pilgrim-Hunter dropped out of the race (see front page), narrowing the field slightly. Candidates have until July 15 to submit the requisite 1,000 signatures to get on the ballot. The Democratic primary is September 14.
The New Roosevelt Initiative has already committed at least $250,000 towards ousting Espada, which is the group’s highest priority this campaign season. The Initiative can’t give the money to Rivera or coordinate activities with his campaign, but it can spend money on his behalf or to the detriment of Espada.
Rivera has a background in education and most recently worked for U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, who is running for re-election this year.
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