Council hopeful a lefty now, but backed AOC foe
A City Council candidate who touts himself as an AOC-aligned Democratic Socialist diehard once supported a candidacy that seems to contradict the progressive bona fides he’s now espousing, the Daily News has learned.
Adolfo Abreu, who’s picked up the endorsement of the Democratic Socialists of America, is running for the western Bronx Council seat now occupied by Fernando Cabrera.
The DSA is closely aligned with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who quickly rose to prominence after her upset win against former Congressman Joe Crowley in 2018.
But Abreu (inset) did not back AOC in that race — he worked for Crowley, the more moderate Democrat.
John Reinish, a Democratic strategist, said that as next year’s Democratic primary approaches voters should expect to see more and more candidates positioning themselves more left of center than they may have once appeared.
“So much of what the perception of progressive politics is in New York City is instead of what would Jesus do, it’s what would AOC do,” he said. “So it’s not surprising to see a candidate do that.”
By gaining the DSA endorsement, Abreu has tried to firmly align himself with the progressive left — a position reflected in his rhetoric.
“I refuse to accept the status quo that says we can’t defund the police, cancel rent, or win health care and housing for all,” he’s quoted as saying on his campaign’s website. “I worked with my community to turn possibilities into realities. Together, we will continue to break new ground.”
On his LinkedIn profile, he offers a list of progressive accomplishments to back that up, including his work as a staffer for Councilman and Congressman-elect Ritchie Torres, and as field director for state Sen. Alessandra Biaggi’s 2018 campaign.
But Abreu conspicuously omits mention on his online resume of his work for Crowley in the rep’s unsuccessful primary fight with AOC.
According to FEC records, Abreu earned $13,195 on Crowley’s 2018 campaign against Ocasio-Cortez and even hosted a petition rally for the now vanquished lawmaker.
In a web posting seeking interns to join the Crowley campaign, Abreu pumps up his candidate and the chance to work for “one of the most influential” Dems in the House.
“This is an ideal opportunity to gain experience in grassroots organizing and learn about the democratic process, on a campaign for one of the most influential Democratic members in the United States House of Representatives,” the post states.
When questioned Thursday about working for Crowley, Abreu said his decision was made out of political expediency and financial need, but declined to provide more specifics.
“I’ve been organizing in the Bronx since I was 11,” he said, referring to his work promoting restorative justice in schools as a youth leader at the Northwest Bronx Community and Clergy Coalition. “The Crowley position was not my first rodeo in politics.”
Abreu is now the coalition’s organizing director.
Sumathy Kumar, the co-chair of the New York City DSA chapter, described Abreu as being honest about his past experience with Crowley, saying the group found it in no way disqualifying.
“If we refused to work with anybody who supported Crowley, we wouldn’t be working with anyone, really,” she said. “We’re open to bringing people into our movement.”