Mayoral hopeful Andrew Yang gets nod from N.Y. Sen. John Liu: ‘He put Asians on the national stage’
Andrew Yang was endorsed Monday by state Sen. John Liu (D-Queens), who cast the mayoral hopeful as a historic trailblazer who will deliver for New York City.
Representing a swath of northeast Queens, Liu is a heavy hitter in local politics who formerly served on the City Council and as the city’s comptroller. His support could significantly boost Yang’s profile as he works to solidify support from the Asian-American community throughout Queens and across the city.
“He put Asians on the national stage,” Liu said of Yang in a spirited speech outside City Hall, comparing the former presidential candidate’s voice with that of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-Queens, Bronx) for Latino-Americans. “He is the most-heard Asian-American in the United States.”
Liu ran in the 2013 mayoral race captured by Mayor de Blasio. He told the Daily News he believes New Yorkers have a broader spectrum of options this time around.
“New Yorkers have a real choice,” said Liu, who immigrated from Taiwan in his youth. “Not just more candidates, but a wider range of experience and visions.”
Liu and Yang diverge on some topics, including their views on charter schools, but the lawmaker brushed aside their differences and dismissed concerns some have expressed about Yang’s knowledge of city governance.
“His platform is comprehensive,” Liu told reporters. “I don’t agree with every single thing: It’s impossible given the breadth of his platform ideas for any human being to agree 100%. But I think he’s got the right ideas.”
The endorsement may have stung somewhat for Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, another front-runner in the race.
Adams said in Harlem that his mother has called Liu her second-favorite politician and that he has “nothing but the best love” for the state senator.
Voters will head to the polls June 22 to make their selection in the cramped Democratic primary that’s expected to determine the city’s next mayor. Liu said he will rank several candidates on his ballot, but declined to offer a second-place endorsement.
According to surveys, Yang and Adams are battling for poll position in the pivotal primary.
Yang was fired up as he collected Liu’s support, promising to deliver a victory in a race that has often left him with a target on his back.
“I am going to finish the job that John Liu started,” Yang declared, “and become the first Asian mayor in the history of New York City.”
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