Heavily shorthanded in endorsements this campaign, Republican candidate Juan Reyes picked up the backing of former presidential candidate Bob Dole and former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld.
“[I am] humbled and grateful to have the endorsement of two giants in the Republican Party,” Reyes said in a statement.
The former mayoral counsel and current lawyer faces off against Councilmember Eric Ulrich on Thursday, September 13 to see which Republican will run against incumbent State Senator Joseph Addabbo.
Reyes worked as a staffer to Dole, who served five terms in the Senate, before serving a number of positions in the second Giuliani administration.
Dole called the senate hopeful “an outstanding leader who will fight for you and your family in Albany. He won’t tolerate the political nonsense that has done so much damage to New York’s economy.”
Rumsfeld said Reyes was a good conservative who would cut taxes and help economic growth.
“Juan is smart, tough minded, decent and hardworking,” he said. “He is a solid conservative who stands for lower taxes, less government spending, and a strong emphasis on economic growth in the private sector.”
Along with these endorsements, Reyes also has the backing of the Queens Republican Party. In contrast, Ulrich has a score of endorsements including: former Governor George Pataki, the Independent Party, the New York State Senate Elections Committee and Congressmember Peter King.
