Mayor Eric Adams’ former first deputy Lorraine Grillo is now backing the marketing campaign of Hizzoner’s greatest rival within the major race: Andrew Cuomo.
Grillo hosted a fundraiser Wednesday evening for the previous governor’s comeback bid for mayor.
She’s the most recent Adams ally or affiliate who has deserted him for Cuomo, who leads the pack of candidates within the June Democratic major.
In the meantime, in a blow to the mayoral marketing campaign of Metropolis Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, sources mentioned Queens Democratic Get together Chairman Gregory Meeks is predicted to endorse Cuomo as early as this weekend.
Former Eric Adams allies, Brooklyn Democratic chairman Rodneyse Bichotte and her predecessor, former get together chief Frank Seddio, have additionally turned their assist to Cuomo.
Grillo beforehand served as a senior adviser to prior Mayor Invoice de Blasio, overseeing pandemic restoration.
She declined to remark, however her husband Stephen Aiello confirmed they hosted the Cuomo fundraiser at their United Nations Plaza pad.
“That’s all I can say,” Aiello mentioned.
Cuomo’s camp was thrilled.
“Lorraine was some of the competent directors within the de Blasio and Adams’ administrations,” an attendee mentioned.
The mayor’s re-election marketing campaign downplayed the truth that his former prime deputy is backing Cuomo over her ex-boss.
“There are numerous fundraisers taking place throughout the town for candidates of all backgrounds—that is America, and everybody has the correct to assist whomever they select,” mentioned Adams’ marketing campaign spokesman Todd Shapiro.
“That’s the great thing about our democracy. Mayor Adams respects the democratic course of and the various voices that make our metropolis so dynamic. He stays targeted on delivering outcomes for all New Yorkers.”
Meeks, additionally a congressman, represents among the identical predominantly black neighborhoods in Southeast Queens as Adrienne Adams.
“Meeks’ backing of Cuomo is the demise knell for Adrienne’s marketing campaign,” one Democratic Get together insider claimed.
Adrienne Adams’ marketing campaign declined to remark.
But it surely’s been an open secret in Queens Democratic Get together circles that Meeks was leaning in the direction of Queens native Cuomo.
“Andrew by no means lets us overlook that he’s a Queens man, and he stays preferred in a lot of Queens,” mentioned state Sen. John Liu, who’s second vice chairperson of the borough’s Democratic Get together.
June Bunch, the get together’s first vice chair, mentioned she prefers Adrienne Adams.
“I like what she stands for and that she stands up for her constituents. I like Cuomo additionally. He could be my second selection,” Bunch, of Hollis, mentioned.
However Bunch mentioned she would “comply with the chairman” if Meeks endorses Cuomo.
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