Ocasio-Cortez endorses progressive Maya Wiley for New York City mayor

[June 07, 2021]    (Reuters) -Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on Saturday endorsed Maya Wiley for New York City mayor, boosting Wiley's chances to establish herself as the leading progressive in the crowded race.

Maya Wiley, Democratic candidate for New York City Mayor, campaigns in Brooklyn, New York, U.S., June 2, 2021. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File Photo

Speaking at an event outside City Hall in Manhattan, progressive firebrand Ocasio-Cortez called on voters to "come together as a movement" to avoid the city's being run "for billionaires and special interests."

More than a dozen Democratic candidates are vying to succeed Mayor Bill de Blasio at the helm of the most populous U.S. city. The packed race has so far been dominated by former presidential candidate Andrew Yang, who was the main target of criticism at a televised debate earlier this week.

Wiley, a civil rights attorney and former MSNBC analyst, is hoping her proposal on job creation, focus on New Yorkers in need and plan to transform policing will resonate with voters in the June 22 primary election.

Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, another leading contender and a moderate Democrat, slammed Ocasio-Cortez's endorsement of Wiley.

"They are putting slogans and politics in front of public safety and would endanger the lives of New Yorkers," Adams, a former police officer, said in a statement.

(Reporting by Maria Caspani; Editing by Leslie Adler)

[© 2021 Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved.]

Copyright 2021 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.  Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content.