News & Politics
Ritchie Torres endorses Keith Powers in Manhattan BP race
The term-limited council member is coalescing support among Latino elected officials in his bid against state Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal.
Rep. Ritchie Torres has endorsed Keith Powers in the race for Manhattan borough president. Noam Galai/Getty Images
In the race for Manhattan Borough president, one candidate is starting to coalesce support from Latino elected officials. Bronx Rep. Ritchie Torres is endorsing term-limited Council Member Keith Powers against state Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal.
“I'm endorsing Keith Powers for Manhattan Borough President because I know he’ll always put working families first and will address our affordability crisis head on,” Torres said in a statement. “Keith is a proven leader who will continue to be a champion for more affordable housing and protections for tenants.”
Powers was already endorsed by Reps. Adriano Espaillat and Nydia Velázquez. Of those three, Espaillat is the only one who actually represents the borough, where he carries influence over Latino votes in Upper Manhattan.
Hoylman-Sigal is backed by Reps. Dan Goldman and Jerry Nadler, and state Sens. Robert Jackson and Cordell Cleare. Hoylman-Sigal is also backed by the Communication Workers of America, but most major labor endorsements in the race so far have gone to Powers. That includes 32BJ SEIU, the Hotel and Gaming Trades Council and Teamsters Local 237.
While both lawmakers have amassed campaign war chests of over $1 million – thanks in large part to public matching dollars – spending has yet to pick up in the race, and no public polling has been released.