By Mark Hallum
City Councilman Paul Vallone (D-Bayside) picked up another vital endorsement in his bid for re-election, with Gov. Andrew Cuomo throwing his support behind the incumbent facing land-use expert Paul Graziano in the Sept. 12 Democratic primary.
Cuomo and Vallone have a family history together, with Vallone’s father, former City Council Speaker Peter Vallone, having often worked closely with then-Gov. Mario Cuomo, who served between 1983 and 1994.
“The families of northeast Queens deserve a Council member they can be proud of and one who can be counted on to represent their values, keep delivering their fair share and lead by example,” Andrew Cuomo said. “Council member Paul Vallone has led the fight to increase programming for our senior population and his ability to successfully advocate for his constituents has resulted in countless improvements for our public safety, parks and schools. There is no question that he is the right choice for Council member. With four more years, Paul Vallone will continue to unite northeast Queens, and I’m proud to endorse his candidacy in the district I used to call home.”
According to Vallone, he and Cuomo have many shared values and support one another’s goals, such as offering important public services like education and maintaining the quality of life for their constituents.
“From upgrading our infrastructure by implementing cashless tolling to providing free college tuition for our middle-class families, Gov. Cuomo has a proven record of preserving, protecting and increasing our quality of life,” Vallone said. “My father, City Council Speaker Peter F. Vallone, worked closely with the late Gov. Mario Cuomo, and I look forward to continuing that tradition with Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo.”
So far, Vallone has been endorsed by the United Teachers Federation, a collection of Korean community leaders throughout his district and female politicians and leaders in Queens.
Reach reporter Mark Hallum by e-mail at mhall
