Right Before the National Puerto Rican Day Parade, Chairman of P.R. Democratic Party Endorses Andrew Cuomo for Mayor of New York City
Chairman Luis Dávila Pernas Touts Cuomo’s Long History of Standing Up for Puerto Rico, Mobilizing New York to Help Island Recover from Hurricane Maria, Other Natural Disasters
Watch Ad on Chairman’s Announcement Here
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, candidate for mayor of New York City, today proudly received the endorsement of Luis Dávila Pernas, chairman of the Puerto Rico Democratic Party.
In his endorsement, made in a new ad released right before the National Puerto Rican Day Parade, Chairman Dávila Pernas said Governor Cuomo was there to help Puerto Rico recover from Hurricane Maria in 2017 and devastating earthquakes in 2020 – filling a gap created by the federal government’s failures to act.
In the ad, which will air on broadcast television several times during the parade, as well as targeted digital platforms, Chairman Dávila Pernas said:
“Andrew Cuomo has and always will stand with the people of Puerto Rico. As chairman of the Puerto Rico Democratic Party, I’m proud to endorse Andrew Cuomo for mayor of New York City.
“In 2017, when Hurricane Maria devastated our island, Governor Cuomo flew to Puerto Rico to coordinate aid after the federal government failed to act. In 2020, when earthquakes destroyed our homes, Governor Cuomo flew to Puerto Rico again bringing hundreds of National Guard to aid in emergency response. That's what real leadership looks like: Underrated and relentless.
“So as we come together for this year’s Puerto Rican Day Parade, let's remember when Puerto Rico needed an ally, Andrew Cuomo was there. When Puerto Rico needed a friend to face the injustices of the Federal Government, Andrew Cuomo was there. And now it's time for us to be there for Andrew. I wholeheartedly encourage all New Yorkers to vote for Andrew Cuomo for Mayor of New York City.”
“New York is the proud home of more Puerto Ricans than any other place outside of the island and our bond with our brothers and sisters in Puerto Rico is rich, deep and unbreakable,” Governor Cuomo said. “I’m proud of the work I’ve done, starting as federal housing secretary, to help Puerto Rico, but to the Cuomos it’s a relationship that stretches back decades. My father, the late great Governor Mario Cuomo, sprang to action to help Puerto Rico recover after Hurricane Hugo left the island without power or running water and I did the same decades later when Hurricane Maria destroyed Puerto Rico’s infrastructure. New York responded when our federal government treated our fellow Americans like second class citizens. New Yorkers shared their pain and celebrated their recovery, as was commemorated in a memorial honoring those who lost their lives that I commissioned on Battery Park City. I am honored to have Chairman Luis Dávila Pernas’ support and look forward to continuing to work with and support the Puerto Rican community any way I can as the next mayor of New York City.”
Luis Dávila Pernas, an attorney, became chairman of the Puerto Rico Democratic Party last year. He previously served as the Executive Director of the Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration, where he was responsible for representing Puerto Rico’s interests before the U.S. federal government and advocating for the island’s inclusion in key federal programs.
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