WASHINGTON HEIGHTS — An uptown Democrat has been eagerly touting an endorsement from the teachers union during his final week of campaigning — an endorsement that he never received.
Manny De Los Santos, a district leader for the 72nd Assembly district, has been showcasing an endorsement from the United Federation of Teachers since Monday, posting on his Twitter account and designing handouts that feature the endorsement.
But the UFT said Thursday that it hasn't endorsed either candidate in the race and has no plans to do so.
"The UFT does not endorse in district leader races," a UFT spokeswoman told DNAinfo New York Thursday.
De Los Santos' actions have enraged rival George Espinal, who released a statement calling the claims "outrageous and unbecoming of a community leader."
"This is unacceptable and inappropriate to claim he received a major labor union endorsement," Espinal told DNAinfo New York. Espinal has called on De Los Santos to retract the claims and issue an apology, but says he hasn't heard from his rival yet.
De Los Santos did not respond to requests for comment.
