Espaillat Receives Working Families Party Endorsement

Andrew Cuomo wasn't the only politician to win the support of the Working Families Party this past weekend. The union-backed party also endorsed state Sen. Adriano Espaillat in his primary challenge against Harlem Rep. Charles Rangel. 

 “I am humbled to have the support of the Working Families Party,” Espaillat said in a statement. “Working families are the backbone of our City. In Congress, I will fight for affordable housing, smart economic development and immigration reform to ensure our residents really can live, work and raise a family here. I am thrilled to have their support and together I know we can bring change and Opportunity for All to the District.” 

The WFP endorsement adds to the coalition of labor support for Espaillat, which includes the Hotel and Motel Trades Council (HTC), United Federation of Teachers (UFT), and Transport Workers Union Local 100, among others, and gives Espaillat even more foot soldiers at his disposal. The WFP endorsement comes shortly after Rangel won the backing of SEIU 1199, the city's largest union with a reputable ground operation of their own, and despite the fact that Jesse Campoamor, Espaillat's campaign manager, is a former political organizer for the union.