Perhaps the single most important local primary this coming Tuesday is in New York State Senate District 33, where the ethically challenged repeating party switcher Pedro Espada, Jr. is facing a strong challenge from an outstanding candidate, Gustavo Rivera. Rivera is an experienced educator who has a long history of support for progressive causes and progressive candidates.
Pedro Espada, Jr.'s assisting the Republicans in retaking control over the State Senate has been adequately documented many times, including here. This was not the first time Espada had deserted the Democratic Party, running on the old Liberal line in the 1990s and joining with the Republicans when he represented a different Senate district early in this decade. We are fortunate that we have an excellent candidate, who introduced his candidacy to Kossacks here.
What is important is that two of the other candidates in the race have now ended their campaigns and endorsed Rivera, as noted here and here. Undivided opposition gives us the chance to permanently retire one of the worst politicians in New York and replace him with someone who can be one of the best.
Gustavo Rivera has been endorsed by the Bronx's most important Democratic leaders, including Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. (who does not share some of his father's extreme positions), former Borough President Fernando Ferrer, Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz (whose Assembly District overlaps the 33rd Senate District), and City Councilmember Fernando Cabrera. He is also endorsed by former New York City Mayor Ed Koch, Public Advocate Bill de Blasio, and Comptroller John Liu. He has also been endorsed by the New York Times, the New York Daily News, and El Diario.
Espada is very wealthy thanks in part to his ethically questionable management of a chain of health centers so he has plenty of money. And he still has support from within the district. I live two blocks outside the 33rd district so I can't vote for Gustavo Rivera but I have contributed and am trying to help as much as I can. Please go to his campaign site and contribute! The primary is less than a week away. Every dollar helps!