Friday, June 22, 2012

Cuomo expected to endorse Rangel today

Last Updated: 12:32 PM, June 22, 2012
Posted: 12:32 PM, June 22, 2012

Gov. Cuomo is expected today to wade into fiercely contested Democratic congressional primaries -- endorsing the re-election of ethically challenged Harlem Rep. Charles Rangel over state Sen. Adriano Espaillat, and backing state Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries over firebrand Councilman Charles Barron for a open Brooklyn House seat, sources said.
Cuomo also opposed Brooklyn Democratic Party boss Vito Lopez, by endorsing the re-election of Brooklyn Rep. Nydia Velasquez over Lopez-backed challenger Erik Dilan. President Obama has also backed Velasquez.
The governor is expected to state his preferences later this afternoon.
AP
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo
Rangel, 82, is running for a 22nd term in a northern Manhattan-Bronx district whose population is now majority Latino. Much of the establishment has backed Rangel, despite his humiliating censure by the House of Representatives in 2010 for 11 ethics violations.
Jefferies is in a fierce battle with Barron, a confrontational politician who has drawn fire for his criticism of Israel and support for dictators like the late Mohammar Khadafi.

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