Pedro Espada Jr. announced three endorsements today as he campaigns to fend off two Democratic challengers in the upcoming 33rd Senate District primary.
A spokesman for Espada said La Voz Hispana, a Harlem-based newspaper that doesn’t appear to have an online presence, will endorse the state senator in an upcoming editorial.
Bishop Fernando Rodriguez (pictured in a pink shirt, apparently doing the Tango with Espada, above) of New York’s chapter of the Latin/African American Chaplains Association (LACA), and Rosa Ayala, the vice president of the Dominican Day Parade, also pledged their support for Espada.
“Whether it’s health care for the poor, services for senior citizens, affordable housing for working families, or educational opportunities for our children, Senator Espada delivers for our community,” Rodriguez said in a statement.
The Rodriguez endorsement is especially noteworthy because he and his organization appear to be looking for a larger role in Bronx politics.
LACA and Rodriguez had a presence during the successful insurgent campaign of Fernando Cabrera, who narrowly defeated incumbent Maria Baez last fall to win the 14th Council District seat. Rodriguez and his entourage attended Cabrera’s election night victory party and his inauguration at Lehman College in January.
Just last week, however, Cabrera announced his support for Espada’s leading opponent, Gustavo Rivera, who has been endorsed by an army of unions and elected officials over the past several weeks.