The United Clergy Coalition (UCC), described as a prominent alliance of faith leaders representing more than 150 congregations across New York City’s five boroughs, announced Friday, Oct. 24, its formal endorsement of former New York Gov. and independent candidate, Andrew M. Cuomo for mayor of New York City.

 

In announcing their support, Cuomo’s campaign team said the coalition members cited the former governor’s “long record of results for working families, his proven leadership in times of crisis, and his deep respect for the city’s diverse communities of faith.” Cuomo’s opponents have accused him of never visiting a mosque while he was governor. He disputes the claim.

 

“We stand with Gov. Andrew Cuomo because of his proven experience, steady leadership during times of crisis, and wisdom in guiding our city and state through challenging moments,” said Bishop Gerald Seabrooks of Rehoboth Cathedral in Brooklyn, who is also president of the United Clergy Coalition. “Gov. Cuomo has consistently demonstrated the strength, compassion, and vision needed to lead New York forward. We proudly stand united with Gov. Andrew Cuomo,” Seabrook added.

 

According to the former governor’s campaign team, coalition leaders said, “Cuomo’s detailed plans to rebuild trust between communities and law enforcement, expand access to affordable housing, and support neighborhood-based economic development were key factors in their decision.” They said the UCC executive board includes prominent faith leaders, including Bishop Albert Jamison of Pleasant Grove Tabernacle Bishop Eric Figueroa, of New Covenant Life Fellowship, Apostle Eli Samuel and Minister Alejandro Zayas.

 

“Faith leaders have always been at the heart of New York City’s progress, guiding our communities through challenge and change,” said Cuomo. “I’m deeply honored to have the endorsement of the United Clergy Coalition. Together, we will build a safer, fairer, and more hopeful city for every New Yorker.”

 

Cuomo’s campaign said the United Clergy Coalition joins “a growing list of community, labor, and civic organizations supporting his campaign (though some have switched their allegiance since the mayoral primary) to bring experienced, steady leadership back to City Hall.”

 

The following day, Saturday, Oct. 25, the former governor spent some of the day campaigning in the Co-Op City section of The Bronx.

As reported, the former governor recently received the backing of the New York State Italian American Political Action Committee (NYS IAMPAC). In his final campaign rally held with supporters, the governor spoke to the diversity of the City of New York.

 

“The American experiment in democracy…..that you can take people from all over who are different….. different race, different color, different creed, and you can bring them together and find the similarity, not the difference,” he said in part. “You can can find the commonality and not the distinctions.”

 

He continued, “And you can weave a fabric from all those different people and all those different races, and that is a powerful fabric and you learn from each other and you grow with each other. That’s this city. It is an organic being that says yes, we have no common religion, we have no common race, and I understand that’s unusual, and I understand it creates a tension but it’s also the magic of the place. That’s what New York really is.”

 

As reported, the governor’s rival, frontrunner and Democratic mayoral nominee, Assemblyman Zohran Mandani (A.D. 36), a Muslim, held a press conference the same day, Friday, Oct. 24, denouncing what he categorized as Islamophobic attacks on his candidacy by Cuomo and others, seemingly in efforts to deter voters from electing the first Muslim mayor of New York City.

 

On Tuesday, Cuomo for NYC announced that the New York Sun and Gov. David Paterson, former governor of New York, had endorsed Cuomo for mayor.

 

Read more here, here, here, here  here, here, and here.

 

The mayoral, and other, general elections in New York City take place on Tuesday, Nov. 4. Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Early voting begins Saturday, Oct. 25, through Sunday, Nov. 2. The voter registration deadline is Saturday, Oct. 25, which is the last day your application can be received by the Board of Elections to be eligible to vote. For more information, visit  https://www.nycvotes.org/how-to-vote/elections-calendar/#voter+registration+deadline.