Two big endorsements Rivera

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. and Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz will endorse Gustavo Rivera for the 33rd District state Senate seat Monday.

Mr. Diaz indicated he would likely be endorsing Mr. Rivera when he met the candidate for lunch recently. Mr. Dinowitz's Benjamin Franklin Reform Democratic Club has also endorsed Mr. Rivera, but Mr. Dinowitz has been silent about his support until now.

Earlier this summer state party leaders asked Mr. Dinowitz as chair of the Bronx Democratic Committee, to hold hearings to oust Mr. Espada from the party. He never ruled out the option, but indicated it would be unlikely before the primary.

“It would have been unseemly at that point to publicly become a partisan in the primary," he said.

But now, with a few weeks to go until September 14th, he has made his choice known.

"The only thing that’s changed is the lapse of time. Meaning the issue hasn’t gone away but the importance of taking a position on this overrides that issue,” he said, adding, “Given that, I refuse to be muzzled ... I have a very strong opinion on that race.”

Mr. Diaz, who said he was willing to sit down with the other contender in the race against Pedro Espada Jr. — Dan Padernacht — never did.

The pair plan to endorse Mr. Rivera at 11 a.m. Monday, on the steps of City Hall.

Public Advocate Bill de Blasio and City Comptroller John Liu also endorsed Mr. Rivera today.