A “Marked Man,” Espada Will Have Own Network Of Support To Defend Him
Independence Party, nonprofits could rally to renegade corner in 2010
Mon, 22 Jun 2009 12:51:00
The last time Sen. Pedro Espada, Jr. allied himself with the Republicans, Democrat Ruben Diaz, Sr. roundly defeated him in the general election by a nearly 2-1 margin in the heavily Democratic district. Seven years later, Espada is back on the Republican side of the aisle, and furious Democrats are eager to repeat the history of his defeat as well.
“[Espada] is a marked man,” said one legislator involved in the Bronx Democratic Party.
But Democrats salivating at the prospect of taking out Espada may have a tougher time than they anticipate. A number of obstacles, including a fractured county party operation, an influx of new, politically-unengaged immigrants to the district and a well-financed GOP looking to protect its newest ally could complicate an attempt to unseat Espada.
Perhaps sensing the giant target on his back, Espada has taken steps beyond allying himself with Senate Republicans and billionaire Tom Golisano, also siding with deposed Bronx party boss José Rivera. When Espada was made president pro tempore of the Senate, Rivera applauded the vote as a proud moment for Latinos in New York. Rivera, who is rumored to be of the opinion that State Sen. Malcolm Smith (D-Queens) was supportive of last year’s successful effort to take him out as boss, and his ally Council Member Maria Baez (D-Bronx) are also alleged to be behind the group of supposed constituents that were bussed up to Albany on June 15 to rally in Espada’s support.
Despite numerous reports of his legal, ethical and residential problems, Espada continues to run in and win elections. His defeat of incumbent Sen. Efrain Gonzalez in 2008 showcased many of his political talents. While most of his political base lives in the southeast Bronx, Espada moved to the southwest Bronx to take on the embattled Gonzalez. At campaign events, he employed flashy tactics to woo voters, giving away free fruits, vegetables and even condoms.
Without support from the Democratic Party, Espada instead turned to the Independence Party for volunteers and resources in his successful 2003 race for City Council, completing the circle in June by winning over Independence Party founder Golisano to add to his prominent supporters.
Espada also has been able to tap into the vast network of nonprofits and tenant groups he has founded and funded over the years. He started the Soundview HealthCare Network 31 years ago, which now includes five clinics spread out across the Bronx and employs over 125 health care workers.
“He has his own base that works and collects his petitions, that raises his money,” said former Bronx State Sen. Israel Ruiz. “Nobody has the clout to go after him.”
At age 21, Espada got involved in organizing tenants at his home in Stevenson Commons, a Mitchell-Llama housing project in the South Bronx. Already a father to a three-year-old at the time, Espada got his first taste of politics there, which eventually led him to run for district leader in late 1980s in his first campaign for elected office.
Despite his dalliances with the Republicans, his supporters characterize him as a moderate liberal who remains committed to the Democratic Party.
“My father feels strongly about being a Democrat, because that’s the only thing he’s ever known,” said his son, Pedro G. Espada. “That’s what being part of the American dream for a Puerto Rican coming to the United States at three years old was about.”
He added: “And the fact that he is trying to change a lost party doesn’t change his registration.”
But Democrats would beg to differ. One source confirmed there is already “significant chatter” within the Senate Democratic conference about wanting to take complete control over the effort to oust Espada in 2010. After a serious vetting process, which could happen as soon as July or August, the conference will likely choose a candidate who will be completely loyal to the Democratic leadership, the source said.
Espada will have to answer to the overwhelming number of Democratic voters, which account for almost 80 percent of total registered voters, in his district next year. His failure to open a district office could also effect his re-election effort, some observers say. And then there is the matter of all those open investigations—any or all of which could come to court before his 2010 re-election.
Of course, his new position of power could also help him bring back more resources to his district than ever before. Spreading that money around in the right way could help bolster his re-election efforts.
“If he ends up in a position of prominence, that could help him, obviously,” said Ira Bloom, a political science professor at Lehman College in the Bronx. “The amount of pork, and also his visibility.”
And Espada has a knack for resurrecting his political career, even after sustaining heavy losses like in 2002. Besides, at a time like this, New York needs Pedro Espada, his son said.
“[Democrats] are trying to grasp at straws and stay somewhat relevant,” Espada said. “Hopefully, there are Democrats that realize there’s an opportunity to lead a real reform effort.”
He added: “And I think that’s what Pedro Espada has been about his whole career.”
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ABOVE: Photo by Andrew Schwartz
“[Espada] is a marked man,” said one legislator involved in the Bronx Democratic Party.
But Democrats salivating at the prospect of taking out Espada may have a tougher time than they anticipate. A number of obstacles, including a fractured county party operation, an influx of new, politically-unengaged immigrants to the district and a well-financed GOP looking to protect its newest ally could complicate an attempt to unseat Espada.
Perhaps sensing the giant target on his back, Espada has taken steps beyond allying himself with Senate Republicans and billionaire Tom Golisano, also siding with deposed Bronx party boss José Rivera. When Espada was made president pro tempore of the Senate, Rivera applauded the vote as a proud moment for Latinos in New York. Rivera, who is rumored to be of the opinion that State Sen. Malcolm Smith (D-Queens) was supportive of last year’s successful effort to take him out as boss, and his ally Council Member Maria Baez (D-Bronx) are also alleged to be behind the group of supposed constituents that were bussed up to Albany on June 15 to rally in Espada’s support. Despite numerous reports of his legal, ethical and residential problems, Espada continues to run in and win elections. His defeat of incumbent Sen. Efrain Gonzalez in 2008 showcased many of his political talents. While most of his political base lives in the southeast Bronx, Espada moved to the southwest Bronx to take on the embattled Gonzalez. At campaign events, he employed flashy tactics to woo voters, giving away free fruits, vegetables and even condoms.
Without support from the Democratic Party, Espada instead turned to the Independence Party for volunteers and resources in his successful 2003 race for City Council, completing the circle in June by winning over Independence Party founder Golisano to add to his prominent supporters.
Espada also has been able to tap into the vast network of nonprofits and tenant groups he has founded and funded over the years. He started the Soundview HealthCare Network 31 years ago, which now includes five clinics spread out across the Bronx and employs over 125 health care workers.
“He has his own base that works and collects his petitions, that raises his money,” said former Bronx State Sen. Israel Ruiz. “Nobody has the clout to go after him.”
At age 21, Espada got involved in organizing tenants at his home in Stevenson Commons, a Mitchell-Llama housing project in the South Bronx. Already a father to a three-year-old at the time, Espada got his first taste of politics there, which eventually led him to run for district leader in late 1980s in his first campaign for elected office.
Despite his dalliances with the Republicans, his supporters characterize him as a moderate liberal who remains committed to the Democratic Party.
“My father feels strongly about being a Democrat, because that’s the only thing he’s ever known,” said his son, Pedro G. Espada. “That’s what being part of the American dream for a Puerto Rican coming to the United States at three years old was about.”
He added: “And the fact that he is trying to change a lost party doesn’t change his registration.”
But Democrats would beg to differ. One source confirmed there is already “significant chatter” within the Senate Democratic conference about wanting to take complete control over the effort to oust Espada in 2010. After a serious vetting process, which could happen as soon as July or August, the conference will likely choose a candidate who will be completely loyal to the Democratic leadership, the source said.
Espada will have to answer to the overwhelming number of Democratic voters, which account for almost 80 percent of total registered voters, in his district next year. His failure to open a district office could also effect his re-election effort, some observers say. And then there is the matter of all those open investigations—any or all of which could come to court before his 2010 re-election.
Of course, his new position of power could also help him bring back more resources to his district than ever before. Spreading that money around in the right way could help bolster his re-election efforts.
“If he ends up in a position of prominence, that could help him, obviously,” said Ira Bloom, a political science professor at Lehman College in the Bronx. “The amount of pork, and also his visibility.”
And Espada has a knack for resurrecting his political career, even after sustaining heavy losses like in 2002. Besides, at a time like this, New York needs Pedro Espada, his son said.
“[Democrats] are trying to grasp at straws and stay somewhat relevant,” Espada said. “Hopefully, there are Democrats that realize there’s an opportunity to lead a real reform effort.”
He added: “And I think that’s what Pedro Espada has been about his whole career.”
--
ABOVE: Photo by Andrew Schwartz
