Rivera defeated the much-maligned Pedro Espada in September, but he has still not been sworn in to office, making this one of the few times you will ever see an unelected official make an endorsement.

It does go to show however what a force Rivera has become in the city since knocking off Espada. When Eric Schneiderman won the Democratic nomination in September, he gave a shout-out to Rivera at the end of his speech and then brought him on stage. 

Bell was supposed to be married to Sean Bell the day after he was killed by the police in a hail of gunfire in 2006. She has racked up a lot of labor and progressive support, as well as some favorable press coverage, but lacks funds and is running against Ruben Wills, a staffer to state Sen. Shirley Huntley who is backed by the Queens Democratic Party.

Full Rivera letter below:

Dear Friend,  Our City needs leaders who will stand up to challenges and speak out against injustice. That's why I am proud to support Nicole Paultre-Bell, a true New Yorker who has risen above a personal tragedy to serve her neighbors and community. With her strength and commitment to justice, Nicole will be the voice the people of Queens need in the City Council. Warm regards, Gustavo Rivera

]]> Gustavo Rivera sent around an email this morning urging voters to pull the lever for Nicole Paultre Bell, who is running to replace the late Tom White in a special election in Queens tomorrow.

Rivera defeated the much-maligned Pedro Espada in September, but he has still not been sworn in to office, making this one of the few times you will ever see an unelected official make an endorsement.

It does go to show however what a force Rivera has become in the city since knocking off Espada. When Eric Schneiderman won the Democratic nomination in September, he gave a shout-out to Rivera at the end of his speech and then brought him on stage. 

Bell was supposed to be married to Sean Bell the day after he was killed by the police in a hail of gunfire in 2006. She has racked up a lot of labor and progressive support, as well as some favorable press coverage, but lacks funds and is running against Ruben Wills, a staffer to state Sen. Shirley Huntley who is backed by the Queens Democratic Party.

Full Rivera letter below:

Dear Friend,  Our City needs leaders who will stand up to challenges and speak out against injustice. That's why I am proud to support Nicole Paultre-Bell, a true New Yorker who has risen above a personal tragedy to serve her neighbors and community. With her strength and commitment to justice, Nicole will be the voice the people of Queens need in the City Council. Warm regards, Gustavo Rivera

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