State Sen. John Liu (D-Queens) has endorsed state Assemblyman Dan Quart (D-Manhattan), his fellow lawmaker and longtime political ally, in his quest to be the next Manhattan District Attorney.
“For years, I have worked in partnership with Assemblymember Dan Quart on issues of fairness and equity for working people in New York City,” Liu said in a statement to the Daily News on Thursday.
The state senator also commended his legislative colleague for taking a stance against Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance, who declined to prosecute several major American banks after the 2008 financial crisis and instead went after Abacus Federal Savings Bank — a Chinatown institution that historically provided financial services to immigrants and other Lower Manhattan residents.
Abacus leaders were found not guilty on fraud charges, but the court battle cost them over $10 million in legal fees.
“[Quart] stood up for Abacus Bank and against the unfair treatment by the Manhattan DA’s office before it was easy or popular,” Liu said. “I am proud to support Dan for District Attorney to ensure a fairer and safer Manhattan.”
Quart, who has also been endorsed by a number of New York politicians including Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.), N.Y. State Sen. José M. Serrano (D-Bronx) and six fellow state assembly members, said he was thrilled to receive Liu’s endorsement.
“I’m proud to have worked with Senator John Liu for years to deliver a fairer city for New Yorkers and I’m incredibly grateful to have his support in this campaign,” he said.
Quart will go up against seven other contenders to replace Vance in the June Democratic primary, including Tahanie Aboushi, Alvin Bragg, Liz Crotty, Diana Florence, Lucy Lang, Eliza Orlins, and Tali Farhadian Weinstein.
A recent poll shows that voters are still largely undecided on who should lead the office.
