In Hotly Contested Races, the de Blasio Endorsement Only Goes So Far
Ross Barkan
If you’re counting at home, Mayor Bill de Blasio endorsed many more winners than losers last night.
State Senator Jeffrey Klein soundly defeated Oliver Koppell. State Senator Gustavo Rivera easily fended off Councilman Fernando Cabrera and State Senator Tony Avella survived a strong challenge from former Comptroller John Liu. Victories were breezy for other de Blasio-approved candidates like State Senators Toby Stavisky, Adriano Espaillat and ex-Councilman Leroy Comrie, who blasted away the indicted soon-to-be ex-State Senator Malcolm Smith. Gov. Andrew Cuomo, of course, still defeated Zephyr Teachout.
Yet the many victories for the mayor’s endorsed Democrats obscured several significant losses in contested races where the de Blasio brand was supposed to matter. Of the three candidates Mr. de Blasio personally campaigned with–Pete Sikora, Dell Smitherman and Mr. Comrie–two lost.
Read more at http://observer.com/2014/09/in-hotly-contested-races-the-de-blasio-endorsement-only-goes-so-far/#ixzz3CvLhZLDw