New York
Related: About this forumDe Blasio Endorses IDC’s Klein And Avella
Nick Reisman
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio on Tuesday endorsed two members of the Independent Democratic Conference who face primary challenges this September.
The endorsements from de Blasio to Sens. Jeff Klein of the Bronx and Tony Avella of Queens come the same day as the labor-aligned Working Families Party, close allies for the mayor, has decided to stay neutral in those primaries.
Throughout this past session, Sen. Jeff Klein and Sen. Tony Avella worked tirelessly on behalf of the residents of New York City and helped make progress on issues that had been stalled for far too long, de Blasio said in a statement. With their leadership, we secured a record increase in funding for universal Pre-K, a fair budget for New York City, needed property tax relief for victims of Hurricane Sandy, and the changes we need to save lives and improve street safety.
http://www.nystateofpolitics.com/2014/07/de-blasio-endorses-idcs-klein-and-avella/
hrmjustin
(71,265 posts)Nick Reisman
The labor-aligned Working Families Party plans to remain neutral in two hotly contested state Senate primary races that feature challenges to members of the Independent Democratic Conference, a party source on Tuesday confirmed.
The Daily News reported earlier this afternoon the decision by the WFP.
The WFP does not plan to become involved in the primary races between IDC Leader Jeff Klein of the Bronx and former city Councilman Oliver Koppell, nor will it make an endorsement in the race between former city Comptroller John Liu and IDC Sen. Tony Avella of Queens.
The source said the decision will allow the party to focus its efforts on bringing full Democratic control to the state Senate.
http://www.nystateofpolitics.com/2014/07/wfp-to-remain-neutral-in-contested-senate-primaries/