By Carla Zanoni
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
UPPER MANHATTAN — Mayor Michael Bloomberg endorsed Adriano Espaillat for the state senate on Tuesday, calling him an "accomplished legislator and committed community advocate who has the track record necessary to be an effective leader for New York."
“Adriano has been an outspoken voice in the fight to reform government, improve our city’s schools, protect our environment and revitalize our small businesses,” Bloomberg went on to say in the statement.
“I know Adriano possesses the type of independence that is needed to bring about positive change in New York. I look forward to working with him when he is in the Senate.”
The mayoral endorsement comes on the heels of the New York Times' endorsement of Espaillat this weekend.
His opponent Mark Levine seemingly took the endorsements in stride, sending out a campaign message that also quoted the Times editorial, but didn't mention Espaillat.
“In today's endorsement editorial the New York Times said what we all already know: ‘New Yorkers are angry at people in office, and they tend to be most peeved at anybody who works in Albany.’ Later in the editorial, The New York Times offered their best advice for New York voters in state races: ‘Vote against anybody who has done time in Albany,’” the Levine campaign email read.
The Levine campaign did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Anna Lewis from the Upper West Side and Miosotis Munoz from Washington Heights are also running for State Senate in the 31st District.
The candidates are scheduled to debate address transportation issues at a Transportation Alternatives organized event Tuesday evening. Lewis has not confirmed whether she will participate.
