Schumer endorses Stavisky for re-election

(photo courtesy of Jimmy Van Bramer)

She has one official opponent so far, but Sen. Toby Ann Stavisky isn’t wasting any time rolling out the big guns.

Stavisky is set to announce the endorsement of U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer tomorrow morning, according to a Stavisky campaign source. The Queens Democrat kicked off her re-election effort late last month in the new Asian-majority Senate district, saying she would move into the district in order to avoid a primary battle with her colleague, Democrat Tony Avella.

“I am proud to support my good friend Toby Stavisky for re-election,” Schumer said in a release from Stavisky’s campaign, obtained by City & State. “In the Senate, Toby Stavisky has proven to be a champion for Queens families by helping small businesses, expanding access to health care, and working to make college education more affordable for middle class families.”

“I am honored to have the support of United States Senator Chuck Schumer,” said Stavisky. “Chuck is a tremendous public servant and a fierce fighter for Queens families. I look forward to working with him in the years ahead to create jobs and economic opportunity for all New Yorkers.”

Stavisky is looking to solidify support in the Asian American community in order to stave off any potential challengers. She’s already been endorsed by Assemblywoman – and congressional candidate – Grace Meng, Councilman Peter Koo and Comptroller John Liu, in addition to a host of Queens Democrat officials.

John Messer, an attorney who ran a spirited campaign for Senate in 2010 against  Stavisky, was the first candidate to declare for the newly created district. He came in third in a three-way race that also featured lotto-winner Isaac Sasson. But like Stavisky, Messer is white, leaving open the possibility that an Asian candidate could still jump in the race.