“I’m proud and excited to endorse Brad Hoylman for State Senate,” Mr. Duane said in a statement. “He shares my progressive values and commitment to reform, and he has devoted the last two decades to serving our community. I know he will continue to champion so many of the causes that I have fought for throughout my career.”

Mr. Hoylman is the chair of Community Board 2, and was, up until Mr. Duane's retirement announcement, running for Christine Quinn's City Council seat.  There are a handful of other candidates in the race, but Mr. Hoylman has received the bulk of the endorsements. This one doesn't come as much of a surprise as Mr. Duane signaled that he favored Mr. Hoylman to replace him.  

“I am certain that Brad will provide strong leadership on not only preserving but also strengthening New York's rent regulation and tenant protection laws, as well as increasing the creation of affordable housing for all New Yorkers," Mr. Duane continued. "He will also be a powerful voice for the LGBT community in Albany—whether it’s carrying on the battle for GENDA or standing up for people with HIV/AIDS struggling to make ends meet.  And having seen him in action for years at the local level, I know he has the ability to build consensus on tough, contentious issues and get results.”

He added, “Come January, I will be proud to be able to call Brad my State Senator.”