What You Should Know

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz

32nd Senatorial District, Bronx County, New York

Tel. 718-991-3161

Adriano Espaillat: Between the Sword and the Switchblade

You should know that it appears that Adriano Espaillat’s hope to become the first Dominican Member of the U.S. Congress is looking dimmer and dimmer as each moment passes.

Since the vote count began after New York’s Democratic Primary on June 26th, all indications have been that Congressman Charles Rangel would keep his lead over Senator Espaillat.

As of this past Saturday, July 7, at the closing of the New York City Board of Elections offices, Charlie Rangel’s lead has grown to nearly 1,000 votes.

A problem Espaillat will have to face is that valid signatures nominating him for re-election to the State Senate must be submitted by Thursday, July 12. Add to that: the deadline to accept the nomination for his re-election will be due on Monday, July 16. Adriano has to decide if he wants to continue with his challenge against Charlie Rangel, and no one knows where and when that could end – OR – he could just drop it and dedicate himself to running for re-election to the New York State Senate.

You should also know that according to the election laws in New York State, a person can only run for one position at a time, meaning that Espaillat cannot run for Congress and the Senate at the same time. It’s either or.

Adriano should decide if he will allow Assembly Member Guillermo “Don Guillo” Linares to run alone for the New York State Senate facing Mark Levine, while Adriano keeps himself busy counting congressional votes. (This could probably take Adriano into the next three months between the back-and-forth of court challenges.) His attorneys and advisors could very well be encouraging him to refuse to accept the fact that he lost as they bleed his campaign funds with “legal fees” in a vain effort to overturn the elections results. Or, as I’ve said before, he could drop the challenge and run for State Senate. Perhaps he can use his money on petition gatherers so he can return to Albany, and we can all watch the intrigue unfold as Linares feels the wrath of Adriano's followers respond to Linares' endorsement of Rangel against Espaillat.

You should know that there is an old saying that a bird in the hand is worth more than two in the bush. I believe that Adriano has done a wonderful and magnificent job and that he will be a shoe-in for re-election as a State Senator.

Sometimes folks just have to realize that’s the way lady love dances. Others might put it more simply by saying that’s the way that the cookie crumbles.

Whatever he decides to do, I, along with any others in the community will respect Adriano’s decision. It’s up to him; it’s his decision; it’s his political career. It's Adriano and only Adriano who has to decide between the sword and the switchblade.

I am Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz and this is what you should know.