Over 100 Faith Leaders Across NYC Now Back Cuomo for Mayor in Fight to Save Our City
12 More Clergy Members Endorse Andrew Cuomo for Mayor
In times of crisis and in seasons when others have gone silent, Andrew has stood with our community. He’s walked with us, listened to us, and labored alongside us. He is not only a friend to Harlem — he is my friend. At this critical moment in our city’s story, I believe in his heart, I trust in his leadership, and I know he’s been called for such a time as this.
- Reverend Dr. Renee F. Washington Gardner, Senior Pastor of Memorial Baptist Church
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, candidate for Mayor of New York City, today proudly received the key endorsement of 12 prominent faith leaders who represent diverse communities across New York City. The nod from these esteemed clergy members brings the total to 106 spiritual leaders from across the five boroughs who have endorsed Cuomo in his campaign to make the city safer and more affordable.
Reverend Dr. Renee F. Washington Gardner, Senior Pastor of Memorial Baptist Church, said: “Andrew Cuomo has always carried a bold and faithful vision for what New York City can be — a city where every neighborhood, including Harlem, has a true and just opportunity to thrive. He’s not just a public servant with plans; he’s a proven leader who shows up when it counts. In times of crisis and in seasons when others have gone silent, Andrew has stood with our community. He’s walked with us, listened to us, and labored alongside us. He is not only a friend to Harlem — he is my friend. At this critical moment in our city’s story, I believe in his heart, I trust in his leadership, and I know he’s been called for such a time as this.”
“I am truly humbled to have received the support of over 100 spiritual leaders who hail from every corner of our city and guide us forward through these challenging times,” Governor Cuomo said. “Our city is at a crossroads, but with the right leadership and faith in one another, I know that together we can lift our spirits and meet this moment head on like New Yorkers have always done. We are New York. There is nothing we cannot achieve when we are united. When I become Mayor, I look forward to working with our faith communities to make our city safer, more affordable, and a place where we can not just get by, but thrive, as one.”
These spiritual leaders have preached the gospel to inspire, galvanize, and educate their followers to improve their communities, become engaged participants in civic activism, and advance social justice.
The new clergy member supporters include:
Bronx:
- Bishop Dr. Michael Carrión, The Promised Land Covenant Church
- Bishop Victor Perez, God’s Embracing Ministries
- Reverend Susanna Rivera Leon, The Sanctuary Church
- Reverend Derrick Boykin, Walker Memorial Baptist Church
Manhattan:
- Reverend Dr. Renee F. Washington Gardner, Senior Pastor of Memorial Baptist Church
Queens:
- Senior Pastor Rodney Nicholls, The Christian Church of Bayside
- Pastor Melvin Yanes, Iglesia Pentecostal Fuente De Vida
Brooklyn:
- Pastor Marie-Eugene Celestin, The Voice of Jesus Ministry
- Pastor Yves Jr. Celestin, The Voice of Jesus Ministry
- Imam Maaz Ali, IQRA MASJID Mosque
- Imam Muhammad Siddiqui, Al Madina Mosque Islamic Center of Brooklyn
- Reverend Dr. Anthony Graham, New Hope Family Worship Center
Throughout his career in public service, Governor Cuomo has been a champion for working New Yorkers. He raised wages for millions, protected the right to organize when the Supreme Court tried to break the back of the labor movement, increased access to healthcare, enacted the nation's strongest paid family leave program and expanded apprenticeships, vocational training, and workforce development programs. He also advanced the most substantial infrastructure program in a generation, including the Second Avenue Subway, the Moynihan Train Hall and the new Kosciuszko Bridge and the new JFK and LaGuardia Airports – all major projects built with union labor.
These prominent faith leaders endorsing Cuomo for Mayor join powerful labor unions representing hundreds of thousands of working New Yorkers, including Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU), Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU), and United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) Local 1500, the Uniformed Fire Alarm Dispatchers Benevolent Association, Uniformed Firefighters Association, United Fire Officers Association, 1199SEIU, Teamsters Joint Council 16, LIUNA NY, New York State Iron Workers, 32BJ SEIU, the Hotel and Gaming Trades Council, the Uniformed EMTs, Paramedics & Fire Inspectors Local 2507, the New York City Deputy Sheriffs’ Benevolent Association, New York City Coalition of the International Union of the Operating Engineers, the Utility Workers Union of America Local 1-2, Teamsters Local 237, Local 3 IBEW, New York City and Vicinity District Council of Carpenters, and District Council 9 of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades.
In addition to the faith leader and labor union endorsements, Cuomo has been endorsed by Rep. Ritchie Torres, Rep. Adriano Espaillat, Democratic Organization of Queens County and Chairman Rep. Gregory W. Meeks, former New York State Comptroller Carl McCall, former Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., New York State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky, New York State Senator Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., New York State Senator James Sanders Jr., New York State Senator Roxanne Persaud, Brooklyn Democratic Chair and Assembly Member Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, Assembly Member Charles Fall, Assembly Member Eddie Gibbs, Assembly Member Yudelka Tapia, Assembly Member Latrice Walker, Assembly Member Erik Dilan, Assembly Member Jordan Wright, Assembly Member Stacey Pheffer Amato, Assembly Member Sam Berger, Assembly Member Vivian Cook, Assembly Member John Zaccaro, Jr., Assembly Member William Colton, Assembly Member David Weprin, Assembly Member Edward Braunstein, Assembly Member Clyde Vanel, Assembly Member Alicia Hyndman, Assembly Member George Alvarez, Assembly Member Manny De Los Santos, Assembly Member Michael Benedetto, Council Member Lynn Schulman, Council Member Kamillah Hanks, Council Member Farah N. Louis, Council Member Susan Zhuang, Council Member Darlene Mealy, Council Member Selvena Brooks-Powers, Coalition of Community Concerns, 35 District Leaders across the city, former National Director of the Anti-Defamation League Abe Foxman, the Village Reform Democratic Club, Taminent Regular Democratic Club, American Jewish Congress, 27 NYCHA Tenant Association Presidents, and the Italian American Leadership Council.
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