Yesterday afternoon, I tagged along with Rivera and two of his volunteers, as they headed by car to New Capital Restaurant, a diner on West Kingsbrige Road for lunch.

Rivera was in good spirits. “Love it! Love it!” he chuckled sarcastically, pointing at a large, red “Vote for Espada” poster in the restaurant’s window. (Rivera, as anyone who cares likely knows by now, is running against State Senator Pedro Espada, Jr., in what is one of the most watched races in the state. Today is Primary Day.)

Rivera had spent the morning greeting commuters, chatting to seniors at senior centers, and talking to parents outside local schools. “People recognize me and they’re engergized,” he said.

As the primary has edged closer, Espada has gone on the offensive, sending voters nasty – and often bizarre – pieces of campaign literature designed to hurt Rivera’s candidacy. (A couple of flyers, given to us by local residents,