The race for the Manhattan seat Sen. Eric Schneiderman will vacate to pursue his quest for statewide office (attorney general) is heating up, with the senator himself and the first labor union choosing up sides.

It should come as no surprise that Schneiderman has thrown his support behind Assemblyman Adriano Espaillat.

The duo co-hosted a reception (along with Sen. Jose Peralta) at Somos el Futuro at the Crowne Plaza in April at which there was much joking about Schneiderman, who loves to display his Spanish speaking skills at the slightest provocation, being an honorary Latino legislator.

“I am proud to endorse Adriano Espaillat for my seat in the New York State Senate. No one has worked harder for our communities – our schools, our seniors, our neighborhoods – than Adriano. He shares our values, knows how to get the job done and will keep leading the fight to reform Albany,” Schneiderman said in a press release.

Also today, UFCW Local 1500 continued its early endorsement streak by becoming the first labor union to endorse in the 31st SD race, throwing its weight behind District Leader Mark Levine.

“Mark Levine has an impressive record as a community activist and leader,” said Pat Purcell, assistant to the Local 1500 president.

“He has a decade’s long record of fighting for working families and he understands the importance of keeping New York Walmart free and of supporting good jobs that can sustain working families.”

“We are proud to give our endorsement to a progressive activist who we know will fight side by side with us in the state Legislature.”

Levine also landed the support this week of the Three Parks Independent Democrats (the largest club in the district) and has been endorsed by NYC Councilman Robert Jackson and former NYC Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum.

Also in the running for Schneiderman’s seat are Miosotis Munoz, Anna Lewis, Rafael Figuereo, and Francesca Castellanos.

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