Former mayor Ed Koch endorsed Senator Joe Addabbo Tuesday in his race for State Senate. He will be running against the victor in a rare Republican primary between challengers Councilman Eric Ulrich and Forest Hills Attorney Juan Reyes.
Addabbo is vying for his third term in the 15th Senate District, and Ulrich emerged earlier this year as an opponent after insisting he wouldn’t run for the office.
Addabbo’s campaign touted the endorsement Tuesday, saying Koch backed him for his effectiveness and dedication.
“I served with Joe’s father, Joe Addabbo Sr., in Congress. He was not only a good friend but a great Congressman”, Koch said. “His son, Joe Jr., is like his father and has served well the people of New York in the Albany Senate. He deserves to get re-elected.”
Koch and Addabbo were allies in working toward ethics reform in Albany, the announcement states.
“Few people are as recognized and identified with credible public service as Mayor Koch,” Addabbo, said. “Mayor Koch has been a true advocate for improving the way Albany does business, and I’m proud to partner with him in that fight. I stand with Mayor Koch as we continue to fight to reform Albany and once and for all provide New Yorkers with a government they can trust.”
Koch has been known to cross party lines in his endorsements if he feels the need, but he stuck with his own party this time.
Ulrich’s campaign wasn’t phased by the high-profile endorsement.
“There is no surprise there,” Jessica Proud, a spokeswoman for Ulrich said.
“Mayor Koch is a Democrat and an old friend of the Addabbo family. Our affection for the mayor is undiminished.”
Addabbo’s campaign also trumpeted its fundraising for the last period, announcing it took in more than $100,000 before the latest filing on July 16.
“I’m very pleased with the early success my campaign has witnessed,” Addabbo said. He did hedge the numbers somewhat though, saying fundraising was not his main focus “While my fundraising efforts are ongoing and will provide for a positive and successful campaign, I am most focused on answering the needs of my constituents.”
This may have had something to do with the fact that Ulrich’s campaign brought in more than $400,000 in the same filing period and ended with $385,000 of cash on hand.
“We’re extremely pleased with our strong fundraising numbers that show a groundswell of support for Councilman Ulrich’s candidacy,” Proud said.
Reyes, backed by the Queens’ Republican Party in the primary against Ulrich, took in about $50,000.
The Addabbo campaign also gathered enough signatures to be placed on the Working Families Party line on the ballot in addition to the Democratic line.
“The Working Families Party is an essential player in New York Senate politics,” says Addabbo, “No one works harder and cares more about the working people of New York, and I am proud to have collected enough signatures to be on their party line.”
By Jeremiah Dobruck
j.dobruck@theforumnewsgroup.com
