Bucking her leftist allies, Public Advocate Letitia James announced Friday that she’s backing Rep. Charles Rangel’s re-election over chief rival Adriano Espaillat.
“Congressman Charles Rangel has never stopped fighting for equality, civil rights, and progress for all New Yorkers. And I’m proud to endorse him for re-election,” James said.
James’ progressive chums — including the Working Families Party and Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito — have endorsed Espaillat. So has city Comptroller Scott Stringer.
Mayor Bill de Blasio, the top-ranking city official, has remained neutral.
And James’ own political consultant, the Mirram Group, is working on Espaillat’s campaign.
James’ endorsement comes a day after a Siena College/NY1 poll found Rangel leading Espaillat 47 to 33 percent in the Tuesday Democratic primary. Harlem preacher Michael Walrond garnered 7 percent and Yolanda Garcia 4 percent.