Recently the endorsement of Letitia James seems to have become a much coveted thing. I know there was a bit of a behind the scenes negotiation over her endorsement in the CD-11 race, one that ended in a probably reasonable stalemate. Contrary to some spin some people are putting on the reported help a staffer of Tish James is giving to Carl Andrews and Hakeem Jefferies, Tish James herself does NOT seem to be throwing her support behind either of these candidates. Rumors to the contrary do not agree with any of the information I have.

The one endorsement that is certain in all this is that Tish James, as I reported earlier, is endorsing Bill Batson. Here is the official press release:

City Council Member Letitia James Endorses NY State Assembly Candidate Bill Batson

Brooklyn, NY – Today, Council Member Letitia James endorsed 57th Assembly District Candidate Bill Batson at an 11am press conference, in front of the recently closed Associated Supermarket at 176 Myrtle Avenue.

"Bill has been described as a 'one-note candidate', but nothing could be further from the truth," James said. "In Albany, Bill will be dedicated to fighting for more affordable housing for this district, for increased subsidies for NYCHA residents, and for the Campaign for Fiscal Equity money so desperately needed by our public schools," continued James, "I am honored to go to Bat for Batson."

Sadique Wai, Batson supporter and member of the United African Congress stated, "I have known Bill for many years. He will fight for all of the people of this district—the recent immigrants and the long-time residents of this country. To Bill, we are all people that need to be heard."

The press conference was held in front of the shuttered market—which stands in the shadow of MetroTech—to illustrate the underdevelopment of parts of the district, while other portions are being overdeveloped.

"We cannot stand by any longer, watching developers get public subsidies from our city and state, allowed to run amok in our Borough, building things that do not benefit us. We watch as our hospitals close, our supermarkets close, and our schools suffer," Batson thundered. "I'm going to Albany to help Brooklyn fight back!"

Batson has already received endorsements from Norman Siegel, Major Owens, City Council Member Bill DeBlasio, and City Councilman/Congressional Candidate Charles Barron, Congressional Candidate Chris Owens, CSEA, the Sierra Club, CBID, and DFNYC, among others.