Assemblyman Dov Hikind of Brooklyn is not endorsing the only comptroller candidate from his borough, David Yassky, and instead backing David Weprin of Queens.
Hikind made the announcement on his weekly radio show Saturday night. In a brief telephone interview this morning, Hikind elaborated.
“I know he’s qualified based on his experience, going back to before he was an elected official,” Hikind said, referring to Weprin’s days working in the state’s Banking Department under Mario Cuomo. “He and I go back over 20 years.”
Hikind said the “most important job for any comptroller is to protect” money in the pension system, and especially in light of the “sad spectacle of political influence” on the decisions made about pension investments under Alan Hevesi, the former comptroller.
Also running for comptroller are Councilwoman Melinda Katz and Councilman John Liu, both of Queens.
As for the public-advocate race, Hikind said he is supporting Bill de Blasio. “I helped him get elected to the City Council years ago,” Hikind said, adding that he considers de Blasio a “really good friend.”
Hikind said he has not made up his mind about who he will support for mayor.
