Bloomberg Endorses Espaillat

Michael Bloomberg just endorsed incumbent Democratic Assemblyman Adriano Espaillat, the mayor's second endorsement in as many hours.

Espaillat is being challenged by term-limited City Councilman Miguel Martinez in a northern Manhattan district.

In the statement released by the Espaillat campaign, Bloomberg said, "From his outspoken support of congestion pricing to his successful push to make the Gansevoort Marine Transfer Station a reality, Adriano has been a clear voice for our environments and against entrenched special interests and shortsighted parochial concerns. It is exactly this kind of independent leadership that we need to send back to Albany.”

It's implicitly critical of Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, who is widely blamed for the failure of Bloomberg's congestion pricing after he refused to bring it to a vote. Silver also delayed approval of the Solid Waste Management Plan.

Bloomberg just announced that he's supporting City Councilman Simcha Felder, a State Senate challenger, over incumbent Democrat Kevin Parker.

The mayor seems to be sending a message to Albany; he may not challenge the capital's leaders by unseating them, but he is willing to carve out a loyal group within their caucuses.