Maya Wiley snags NYC mayoral endorsement from Rep. Nydia Velázquez
Mayoral hopeful Maya Wiley has locked down the endorsement of Rep. Nydia Velázquez, giving her campaign a boost as she attempts to secure public matching funds later this month.
Velázquez (D-N.Y.), who represents parts of lower Manhattan and Brooklyn, made the announcement Friday afternoon with Wiley on the Lower East Side.
“Maya Wiley is a transformational leader who won’t just rebuild New York, but reimagine it,” Velázquez said. “Whether it’s taking the affordability crisis head-on, working to save our small businesses or fighting to create good-paying jobs, Maya is the right person for New York City.”
Wiley is a former MSNBC commentator who also once served as one of Mayor de Blasio’s top legal advisers. She has never held elected office.
Last month, she won a key endorsement from the politically powerful healthcare workers union, 1199 SEIU, another much-needed lift for a campaign that, according to the most recent polling, is stuck in the middle of a crowded Democratic primary field.
That poll, which was conducted by Fontas Advisors, has Wiley tied for fourth with 8% support from those surveyed.
Wiley trails former presidential candidate Andrew Yang, Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams and City Comptroller Scott Stringer and is tied with former U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan, according to the poll.
She suffered a setback last month when her campaign failed to qualify for public matching funds through the city’s Campaign Finance Board, but hopes to secure the additional cash later this month by the next qualification deadline.
Adams also scored a recent win in the hunt for endorsements earlier this week when he won a stamp of approval from the Hotel Trades Council of New York.
Stringer has snagged endorsements from Reps. Jerry Nadler, Adriano Espaillat and Jamaal Bowman. Yang is backed by Rep. Ritchie Torres and Assemblyman Ron Kim, who is now well-known for his recent battles with Gov. Cuomo.
Along with 1199, Wiley has won endorsements from Assemblyman and Democratic National Committee Vice Chairman Michael Blake, State Sen. Michael Gianaris and Councilman Stephen Levin.
“I’m looking forward to working with incredible leaders like Congresswoman Velázquez as we fight to make sure New Yorkers can live here in dignity, with good-paying jobs, affordable housing and with a thriving economy that lifts up everyone,” Wiley said of Friday’s nod.
