Diaz Jr. praises James' "tenacity" and "vision"
Key endorsement will add momentum to James' campaign, which continues to pick up crucial support across the City
On Monday, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. endorsed Councilwoman Letitia "Tish" James in her campaign to become the next New York City Public Advocate.
"In the Bronx, we have made important strides in creating jobs and helping our communities lead healthier, safer lives. But we need city-wide leaders who will make the Bronx even stronger and fight for working families all across New York. I'm endorsing Tish James because that's the kind of Public Advocate she will be," said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. "Tish has been an incredible public servant. She has delivered affordable housing; improved schools by helping avoid closures and funding after-school programs; helped preserve thousands of child care slots; and fought for job creation in our city. She'll bring the same tenacity and vision to the Office of the Public Advocate and deliver for all New Yorkers."
"I'm proud to earn the support of Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., a great leader who is helping transform the Bronx," said Councilwoman Letitia "Tish" James, candidate for Public Advocate. "I'm running for Public Advocate to advance all of New York's diverse communities and help create good jobs, high quality schools that focus on preparing our children for success, not simply teach to the test, and ensure that working-class New Yorkers are not ignored in favor of the wealthy and the well-connected. I can't wait to start campaigning with Borough President Diaz and win this campaign so we can move our city forward."
James continues to build a robust campaign, backed by a diverse coalition of supporters.
James has now been endorsed by: SEIU 32BJ, TWU Local 100, CWA 1180, UAW, DC 1707, CSA, Local 802 (musicians), Local 831 (sanitation workers), Local 444 (Sanitation Officers Association), Working Families Party (WFP), Brooklyn County Democratic Party, Bronx County Democratic Party, National Organization for Women (NOW-NYC), Democratic Organization of Richmond County (DORC), Bay Ridge Democrats, Barack Obama Democratic Club of Upper Manhattan, New York Communities for Change, Broadway Democrats, Chelsea-Midtown Democratic Club, Three Parks Democrats, Vanguard Independent Democrats, Frederick E. Samuelson Club, Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club, Muslim Democratic Club of New York (MDCNY), Progressive Democrats Political Association (PDPA), Coalition for a District Alternative (CoDA), Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats, Eleanor Roosevelt Democratic Club, Democracy for New York City, Organization of Staff Analysts (OSA), Councilwoman Sara Gonzalez, Councilwoman Maria del Carmen Arroyo, Councilwoman Melissa Mark Viverito, Staten Island Assembly Member Matt Titone and others.
About Tish James: A Brooklyn native, Tish James has been a long-time public servant. Prior to being elected City Councilwoman in 2003, James was a top-level aide to members of the State Assembly, where she played a crucial role in bringing resources to some of New York's most vulnerable communities. She has also served as a public defender in the Legal Aid Society and an Assistant Attorney General for New York State (Brooklyn Region). In the City Council, James has been an outspoken advocate for economic and social justice.