Vito Lopez Spotted At Walter Mosley Fundraiser [UPDATED]

The question of who Brooklyn Democratic chairman/Assemblyman Vito Lopez is backing in a hotly contested Assembly race may have been answered.

Lopez showed up at a fundraiser last night for Brooklyn Assembly candidate Walter Mosley, a spokeswoman for Mosley, Lupe Todd, confirmed.

Mosley, a district leader, is running against a fellow district leader, Olanike Alabi. The Brooklyn Democratic chairman, who has not made a formal endorsement in the Assembly race, could not immediately be reached for comment about his plans in the race.

Update:

Lopez said in a phone call that he’s personally supporting Mosley, but that the Brooklyn Democratic organization has not met to make an endorsement in the race. Nonetheless, Lopez hopes his personal endorsement will help Mosley.

“I have a strong Democratic club, and I am willing to help Walter out in any way I can,” Lopez said. “Walter is a friend.”

Lopez’s presence at the fundraiser is not all that surprising, given that one of its hosts was Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries, who is set to assume a seat in Congress next year and has a good relationship with Lopez. On the other hand, the other host was Councilwoman Letitia James, a candidate for New York City public advocate in 2013, who has not always had the closest of relationships with Lopez. For instance, James is a strong backer of Lopez nemesis/district leader Lincoln Restler.

If Lopez were willing to actually put some political muscle behind Mosley, it could certainly help his candidacy. On the other hand, Lopez’s support has at times made it more difficult for his candidates to land the New York Times endorsement, though it’s far from clear whether the paper would make a selection in the down-ballot race.