Rep. Nydia Velazquez endorses Keith Powers for Manhattan borough president

Rep. Nydia Velazquez has endorsed Keith Powers in his run for Manhattan borough president — the current councilmember’s second congressional endorsement. The Puerto Rican congresswoman represented the Lower East Side for decades before redistricting shifted her district to parts of Brooklyn and Queens.

She remains influential there, especially among Latino voters. “As a proven leader on the Council, Keith has led the fight for building more affordable housing, lowering costs and making our city a better and more prosperous place to live,” Velazquez said in a statement. Powers is running against State Sen.



Brad Hoylman-Sigal in the race. Mark Levine, the sitting beep, is opting out of seeking reelection to instead run for city comptroller. The west side senator has previously won the backing of Reps.

Dan Goldman and Jerry Nadler, while Powers has nabbed the endorsement of Rep. Adriano Espaillat..