Espada Says Diaz Should Resign
This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.
Two days after announcing his candidacy for state Senate, Bronx politician Pedro Espada Jr. yesterday called for the resignation of incumbent and longtime rival Senator Ruben Diaz for what Mr. Espada called “racist remarks.”
Mr. Diaz was quoted on Tuesday in a Spanish-language daily newspaper, Hoy, as saying, “Why is Espada supporting the candidacy of two black people” against Assemblymen Peter Rivera and his son, Ruben Diaz Jr., both of whom are Latino.
Mr. Espada, who lost his state Senate seat to Mr. Diaz in the 2002 election, called the senator’s remarks “unfortunate” and demanded an apology.
“Senator Diaz has preached division for too long,” Mr. Espada said.
Senator Diaz told The New York Sun his remarks were meant to unite rather than divide. “The black and Hispanic community has fought here for many years to get political power,” he said. “We have to keep the community united. I am not a racist.”
