Gillibrand Aide To Challenge Espada?

It’s about time we see a progressive activist with a real track record backing our guys taking this race on! Espada couldn’t even be MAJORITY leader if Rivera had not helped build that majority…

First Spano, now ESPADA! Progressives are coming for you!

It is high time for the 33rd to have a Senator who listens to the residents, and most importantly is a resident. In a political system where special interests dominate political discourse, the one thing that cannot be overlooked is the values of each and every resident of the Bronx. Rivera’s impeccable record of working for progressive candidates with progressive values and getting them elected (both in and out of the Bronx) is to be commended. The time has come for the 33rd to have a Senator who holds his constituents needs ahead of his personal pocketbook.

Now things get interesting…a progressive latino in a predominantly latino district. The contrast between Rivera and Espada could not be more clear. One works for the communities he serves; the other manipulates them for his own self-aggrandizement.

I live in the 33rd. I too want a progressive activist with a real track record. I found such a person in Desiree Pilgrim-Hunter. She was willing to take on Espada long before Mr. Cuomo’s legal actions made him a more attractive target. Real progressives working in the district, like Desiree, wanted Espada out before he was even elected and have been working hard to make sure he was ousted once he was elected. What exactly is the “progressive” rationale for a late entry into this campaign, if that is what Mr. Rivera is planning? Hard to see how this helps us oust Espada.

I also live in the 33rd, as I have for 25 years. Does Mr. Rivera live in the district? Has he been active in local concerns? I look forward to learning more about him.

As it is, we already have a progressive resident of the district, with a long and successful record of participation in her community and activism on significant public issues — Desiree Hunter.

Too many opponents will hand victory to Espada.

Espada will only be ousted by a candidate who can reach across all the communities in the district — one who has deep political experience to outfox one of the wiliest legislators in all NY.

Espada is shaming us every day he orders sushi to Mamaroneck and takes money from landlords.

Hunter has a great track record as a community activist, but I somehow doubt Rivera would be quitting his job with Gillibrand for this race if he did not believe that a victorious outcome over Espada really mattered to all of us.

Gustavo who? He worked for Gillibrand, so why would anyone think of him as progressive? This community needs someone who will represent us, not some politically connected opportunist. We don’t need another Espada. We don’t need to vote into office another self-interested careerist.
Desiree Pilgrim-Hunter has stood with this community, fought for this community. If Gustavo respected this community, he wouldn’t be running. He should admit that he made a mistake and fade away quietly. He should find a community, live there for ten years, do some good work and then consider running for office. His time is not now. His district is not the 33rd.

I’ve worked with Gustavo Rivera during the 2008 presidential campaign.

He is a stand up man, who connects with people, and stands for progressive issues. He has always been on the side of the people and the progressive candidate. He posseses the kind of leadership the 33rd Senate District needs.

Sign me up, now its time to be on Gustavo Rivera’s side!!!!

Unfortunately, too many young people these days don’t want to put in the work. They just want the money and power and privilege. Gustavo is another Espada — using a poor community for his own ambitions.
If he ever wants to be taken seriously for a run in the future, he should start by living here and doing some work for the community.
I appreciate that his friends and people looking to work for him have written in to offer support, but the people of this community are tired of men like Espada and Gustavo Rivera who use our community for their own profit. We don’t need another man who cons voters and uses communities as their personal playground. The more I think of it, the more embarrassed I am for Gustavo.
He really should disappear. Say no to Gustavo and Espada — put the community first.

Gustavo Rivera? Is this a joke?
I can’t believe the ego of these guys.
Does he take us for fools? Why would we vote in another man like Espada? Why would anyone in the 33rd support some outside political hack?
Gustavo needs an adult to sit him down and give him a reality check. We didn’t ask for him. We don’t need him. We don’t want him. Gustavo, show some self-respect and go away.
This has got to be a joke.

Desiree Pilgrim-Hunter cannot win in the 33rd district. We need a candidate who can once and for all rid us of Espada. I truly believe Gustavo Rivera is that man. I can’t believe people who don’t even know him or have heard about his reasons, plans, stances, etc. are already comparing him to Espada without even knowing him. Wow! I sincerely hope this is not the kind of campaign we can expect from Pilgrim-Hunter.

Gustavo Rivera cannot win in the 33rd district. I live here. People will not vote for someone who carries water for a pro-gun, anti-immigrant politician like Gillibrand. Gustavo obviously sold out to get a job with her and now he’s looking for a bigger pay day.
He is an opportunist just like Espada.
From what I’ve read about Desiree Pilgrim-Hunter, it is a fact that she lives here. She has worked for the community.
I’m not interested in Gustavo’s speeches about his reasons, plans, stances. Is that all he can offer, a few phrases cobbled together by Gillibrand’s speechwriter? He can’t just show up and expect to be given a position that he hasn’t in any way earned, that he in no way deserves.
He is just like Espada. Espada saw the opportunity to win against a corrupt primary opponent. Gustavo sees the same opening. His reasons and motives are obvious to anyone with any sense.
Much reporting has shown that Desiree Pilgrim-Hunter is rooted in the community. She is a grassroots candidate. I don’t know how her campaign against Espada will go, but I plan on voting for her because she appears to be nothing more than an honest, hard working member of our community.
I’m sorry if Gustavo’s campaign workers like Reality Check don’t think that my position is valid. Like other members of this community, I have had to suffer under Espada. I don’t trust Gustavo Rivera and no speech that he makes will change my mind.
If he comes and lives in this district, serves the community and becomes a part of it, then he might change my view about him. For now, it is pretty obvious that if he doesn’t win in the primary, he won’t be around the next day. Why? Because this is not his community.

It seems as though anyone who will show support for a man who has lived in the 33rd district for over 10 years, spent his years since moving to NYC from Puerto Rico involved in progressive organizations, and helping people like President Obama get elected will be deemed a Rivera campaign worker. I’ll give you, Voter 33rd District, the respect and benefit of the doubt you have chosen not to give me and say that you are just a simple member of the district who wants better for his/her community. It’s too bad you don’t seem to care enough to look into who that person might be and will stand by a clearly ignorant decision. Had you said that you looked into Mr. Rivera records and thought Pilgrim-Hunter a better choice, I would not have anything else to say. I, however, will do whatever I can to support the better candidate – the candidate that can win in the 33rd district, Mr. Gustavo Rivera.

Si se puede!

No one has shown that Gustavo Rivera has done any work for this community.
All I know is that he worked for a pro-gun, anti-immigrant politician.
You know nothing about this community.
Gustavo Espada, I mean Rivera, is another opportunist.
Obviously, you work for Rivera.
You are not from this community.