By Howard Koplowitz
State Assemblyman Jose Peralta (D-Jackson Heights) and City Councilwoman Julissa Ferreras (D-East Elmhurst) took a pass in endorsing the only Queens contender for public advocate, Councilman Eric Gioia (D-Sunnyside), when they decided to back Councilman Bill de Blasio (D-Brooklyn) for the post over the weekend.
Peralta and Ferreras announced their support for de Blasio after the three marched together Sunday at the Queens Ecuadorian Day Parade.
De Blasio said he and Ferreras “joined forces” to propose a Public Advocate Slumlord Watch List “to call attention to negligent landlords who continually violate city housing laws and maintain substandard housing for working New Yorkers.”
Peralta said it was that idea and de Blasio’s campaign promise to assign an ombudsman to be a watchdog for city residents who were unfairly given parking tickets that led to his backing of the Brooklyn councilman, de Blasio’s campaign said.
“Bill has proven time and again that he understands the needs of working New Yorkers, and he is willing to take on the tough fights in City Hall to deliver results for our city,” Peralta said in a statement issued by de Blasio’s campaign. “From fighting the city’s overzealous parking ticket blitz, to creating a watch-list to monitor negligent landlords, I know that Bill de Blasio is the person we need as our next public advocate.”
Ferreras said de Blasio “truly understands the needs of my constituents, and I am proud to announce my support of him for public advocate.”
In endorsing de Blasio, Ferreras and Peralta chose not to support Gioia, whose council district is adjacent to their districts.
Gioia, Peralta and Ferreras could not be reached for comment.
Meanwhile, Gioia’s campaign announced he had received the backing of the Uniformed Firefighters Association.
The campaign said the union cited Gioia’s work in fighting to protect the city’s firehouses from closure “and standing up for all New Yorkers.”
Gioia’s campaign said he sued the city in 2003 to keep Engine Co. 261 in Long Island City open “and has been a steadfast voice demanding transparency in FDNY response times.”
“Eric Gioia has recognized the difficult and professional job that NYC Fire Officers perform each and every day to protect the citizens of NYC,” the union said. “He clearly understands the danger and the collateral negative effects on the surrounding neighborhoods of closing fire units down. He stood side by side with us in our attempts to save Engine Co. 261 in his council district and stood with us again earlier this year when the mayor wished to close down six more units.”
Reach reporter Howard Koplowitz by e-mail at hkoplowitz@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 173.
