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Endorsements

By Hunter Walker 5/15/12 4:02pm

Endorsements

George W. Bush speaking in Washington, D.C. earlier today. (Photo: Getty)

Romney Campaign Says They ‘Welcome’ George Bush’s Support

Mitt Romney’s campaign still has yet to issue a statement or announcement following President George W. Bush’s expression of support for Mr. Romney’s candidacy earlier this afternoon. After we wrote a post about the conspicuous silence, Mr. Romney’s spokeswoman, Andrea Saul, wrote back to assure us he’s glad to have Mr. Bush’s endorsement.

“We welcome the president’s support, as we welcomed his father’s,” Ms. Saul said.

Though the Romney campaign is pleased to have Mr. Bush’s backing, don’t expect to see the ex-president stumping for Mr. Romney on the campaign trail. Read More

By David Freedlander 5/14/12 11:50am

Endorsements

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Coney Goes With Hakeem Jeffries; TWU With Nydia Velazquez

In today’s congressional endorsement news, Hakeem Jeffries, the  Brooklyn Assembly running to replace the retiring Ed Towns, announced the backing of a slew of elected officials in a new corner of his reconfigured district, while longtime incumbent Nydia  Velazquez got the support of the transit workers union.

Mr. Jeffries has been running hard against Mr. Towns until the incumbent abruptly decided to retire, leaving the race a two-person fight between Mr. Jeffries and City Councilman Charles Barron.

Both candidates have been forced to introduce themselves to the mostly white ethnic voters near Coney Island, an area of the city that was drawn into the district during the redistricting process. Read More

By Hunter Walker 5/08/12 9:00am

Endorsements

Rick Santorum and Mitt Romney at a debate in Arizona. (Photo: Getty)

Rick Santorum Endorses Mitt Romney

Rick Santorum sent a legnthy, late night email to his supporters yesterday discussing his meeting with Mitt Romney last week and his potential endorsement in the presidential race. He got to the endorsement in the 13th paragraph of his 16 paragraph missive.

“President Obama must be defeated. The task will not be easy,” Mr. Santorum said. “It will require all hands on deck if our nominee is to be victorious. Governor Romney will be that nominee and he has my endorsement and support to win this the most critical election of our lifetime.” Read More

By Colin Campbell 4/30/12 3:05pm

Endorsements

Wendy Long

Joe DioGuardi Endorses Wendy Long

Former GOP Congressman and 2010 Senate candidate Joe DioGuardi endorsed attorney Wendy Long’s Senate campaign this afternoon, giving her the notable endorsement from the person who last went toe-to-toe against incumbent Senator Kirsten Gillibrand as Ms. Long seeks to do the same this year.

In the statement announcing the endorsement, Mr. DioGuardi, who was soundly defeated by close to a 30-point margin despite strong Republican performance in various congressional races across the state that year, stressed Ms. Long’s electability, declaring, “[M]ost importantly, she is the only Republican who can defeat Kirsten Gillibrand, and that is why I am endorsing her for U.S. Senate.” Read More

By David Freedlander 4/23/12 2:44pm

Endorsements

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1199 Makes June Congressional Endorsements

Political powerhouse labor union 1199 announced their endorsements in the upcoming June primary, providing a major boost to handful of incumbents and contenders in some tight races.

In the congressional race uptown, 1199 went with Charlie Rangel over State Senator Adriano Espaillat, even though some unions (most notably the Correctional Officers Benevolent Association) are going with the challenger.

There are, otherwise, few surprises. Read More

By Hunter Walker 4/19/12 6:13pm

Endorsements

Gustavo Rivera (Photo: NYS Senate)

Gustavo Rivera Backs Adriano Espaillat

Bronx State Senator Gustavo Rivera gave his endorsement to fellow State Senator Adriano Espaillat in his race against veteran congressman Charlie Rangel. The endorsement is significant because Mr. Rivera’s home base in the Bronx is new territory for Mr. Espaillat, who currently represents Upper Manhattan and Riverdale.

“As a fellow senator, I have watched Adriano successfully fight for working families and immigrants,” Mr. Rivera said in a statement. “I am proud to endorse Adriano for Congress because he will bring the same passion and energy to Congress and deliver the change we need in Washington D.C. I look forward to campaigning for Adriano, particularly in the Bronx, to get him elected as our next Congressman.” Read More

By Hunter Walker 4/17/12 3:03pm

Endorsements

Oscar de la Renta (Photo: Getty)

Oscar de la Renta Weighs in on Rangel Race

Fashion designer Oscar de la Renta is endorsing Adriano Espaillat in the race for the 13th congressional district. In a statement announcing his endorsement, Mr. de la Renta, who is from the Dominican Republic, called on Democrats and Latinos in particular to back Mr. Espaillat in his quest to become the first congressman of Dominican descent.

“I am proud to endorse Adriano Espaillat for Congress and I call on all Democrats, particularly the Latino and Dominican communities, to join me in rallying behind Adriano’s historic run to change the political landscape of this country,” Mr. de la Renta said. “Our communities are at a crossroads and we need leadership that can help us meet the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. Senator Adriano Espaillat’s record clearly indicates that he will bring bold, new ideas to move our communities forward. I am fully committed to add my voice to help elect Adriano to Congress.” Read More

By Colin Campbell 4/11/12 5:40pm

Endorsements

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DC-37 Seems Likely to Go With Lancman

The three main Democratic candidates for an open congressional seat in northeastern Queens, Assemblyman Rory Lancman, Assemblywoman Grace Meng, and Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley, interviewed in front of a panel at District Council 37 last night, which voted overwhelmingly to recommend the union ultimately endorse Mr. Lancman.

Apparently one of the issues at hand, three sources told The Politicker, was confusion about whether Ms. Meng voted for or against Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Tier VI proposal, opposed by public employee unions.

Ms. Meng ultimately voted against it, but, as her campaign explained it this evening, there was a procedural moment in the debate where she indicated she was going to vote in favor of the legislation. Video* of the proceeding indeed shows the total being announced with 45 nays while the official tally has 46. Read More

By Colin Campbell 4/11/12 10:09am

Endorsements

Liz Crowley (Photo: Facebook)

Liz Crowley Continues Labor Roll Out

Although Assemblyman Rory Lancman, a candidate for an open Queens congressional seat, has been gobbling up the biggest labor players like the Working Families Party and the RWDSU, one of his opponents in the Democratic primary, Councilwoman Liz Crowley, continued her streak of smaller union endorsements this morning with the Mason Tenders District Council.

“Elizabeth Crowley has fought for workers’ rights throughout her entire career,” the Mason Tenders’ political director, Mike McGuire, said in a statement announcing the support. “She understands that people deserve safe workplaces, fair wages, and a secure retirement. Elizabeth Crowley is the best candidate to represent workers and strengthen our neighborhoods.” Read More