Adriano Espaillat Endorses Successor for State Senate During Inwood Rally

WASHINGTON HEIGHTS-INWOOD, NY — Democratic nominee for the 13th Congressional District Adriadno Espaillat held a rally Tuesday to endorse his successor in the New York State Senate.

Espaillat endorsed Marisol Alcantara for the State Senate position for New York's 31st district. Espaillat vacated the seat after defeating Keith Wright in a close contest to become the democratic nominee for 13th Congressional District of New York. The 13th Congressional District spans Harlem, Washington Heights, Inwood, part of the Upper East Side in Manhattan and the southern tip of the Bronx.

Espaillat also endorsed Carmen De La Rosa, a Manhatan democratic district leader, for the New York State Assembly's 72nd District.

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As dozens of supporters gathered in a tight space on 201 Sherman Ave., chants of "si se puede, mujeres al poder," rang out. In English that translates to, "yes we can, women and power."

Espaillat was flanked by Alcantara, De La Rosa and City Councilman Ydanis Rodriguez during the rally.

"We must elect women, this is the year of the women," Espaillat said to kick off the rally. "We should not do it with words. We've got to do it with deeds, with actions. These two women have earned their space here because of their work and their commitment. They have earned the space to aspire to represent us both in the State Senate and the State Assembly."

Espaillat said that currently there isn't one Latina serving in the State Senate and that he can only remember two ever serving in the body's history.

Alcantara began her speech by promising to fight for women, working people and immigrants.

"I promise to be a champion for women's rights, for worker's rights, that every worker in the city has a decent wage with decent salary," Alcantara said. "And that every person that lives in this community, whether you're documented or undocumented, you have a right to education."

Alcantara herself immigrated to the United States from the Dominican Republic when she was just a child. When she was 3 years old, Alcantara's mother moved to a suburb of Washington, D.C., and it wasn't until a decade later that Alcantara was able to move and reunite with her mother.

"Ten years later it was like reuniting with a stranger," Alcantara said. "I'm an immigrant, I'm a mother, I'm a union organizer, I'm a union activist."

Espaillat also endorsed Carmen De La Rosa for the 72nd State Assembly District. Espaillat held the office from 1997 to 2010.

"I am happy to introduce to you who I believe will be an excellent representative in the 72nd Assembly District, that 20 years ago gave a country boy from the Dominican Republic the opportunity to serve it," Espaillat said.

De La Rosa spoke about protecting the cultural fiber of the 72nd district — which spans Washington Heights and Inwood.

"Adriano is a fighter, he has taught us to fight," De La Rosa said. "And we will continue the fight in Albany to ensure that our families are represented, that the resources that are necessary are coming into our community, and that we are a united front against the cultural displacement that has taken over."

De La Rosa also thanked Councilman Ydanis Rodriguez for acting as a political mentor while she served on his staff.

The 72nd District is currently held by Democratic Incumbent Guillermo Linares.

The democratic primary elections for the 31st Senate District and 72nd Assembly District will be held Sept. 13.

[Photo: Patch editor Brendan Krisel]