Bill says it best (via email):

Bronx, NY – Today Bronx voters sent a clear message to Albany lawmakers with the defeat of disgraced incumbent State Senator Pedro Espada. Voters are fed up with the corrupt practices of Albany and want lawmakers to fundamentally change the way they conduct business on behalf of the people. That is why they elected New Roosevelt Initiative-endorsed candidate Gustavo Rivera. New Yorkers want to see real reform enacted immediately and are willing to send young, bright progressive-minded candidates to Albany who will get the job done.

Many said defeating Pedro Esapda, the incumbent State Senator, would be an uphill battle. New Roosevelt was the first organization to endorse Rivera, in a crowded primary field, more than two months ago and saw him as the best shot to beat Espada and bring reform to Albany. New Roosevelt built from scratch a field organization totally devoted to Albany reform and executed a targeted field and mail operation directed at Bronx primary voters as well as polling and get out the vote efforts. We are proud to help make the defeat of Espada a reality.

With this victory we are sending a message to both Republicans and Democrats that if major reform measures are not in enacted soon, they may face the same fate as Espada in 2012.

Rivera's victory comes at the end of a day apparently filled with campaign shenanigans by the disgraced loser - sounds sweet, doesn't it? - and can safely be considered a necessary step to draining the Albany swamp.

Reports are coming in from the Bronx of voter harassment, tampering and intimidation by Pedro Espada and his supporters. Some reports indicate that Espada himself may be breaking the law, though this is not confirmed. Reports of handing out campaign lit INSIDE a polling place, tires slashed, etc. Really sleazy shit even for Espada.

The Albany Project has posted a call for poll watchers who can help stop Espada's anti-democratic escapades:

Just received a request for Poll Watchers in the Bronx !!!!

There are reports of apparently Espada led voter intimidation and tampering.

We need people in the area to help out as poll watchers. You don't need to be an attorney.

Let's not let Espada steal this one.

Contact me @ brian at thealbanyproject dot com and I'll get you in touch with the proper folks.

Help if you can.

I knew Pedro Espada was scum...but this seems worse than usual.

Here's an update...it really sounds like Pedro Espada has no regard for democracy, decency or the law:  read more »

To me one of the top races this year is the primary challenge to one of the number one most dysfunctional people in Albany now that Hiram Monserrate has been ousted: corrupt and reactionary Bronx hack Pedro Espada, jr. Desiree Pilgrim-Hunter has stepped up to the plate to try and get rid of Espada. Already Desiree Hunter has gotten the endorsements of Democracy for NYC, Retail Wholesale and Department Store Union, and Stonewall Democrats.

Pedro Espada is one of the traitors who derailed reform in Albany by temporarily defecting to the Republicans. Espada is also actively under investigation by the Bronx District Attorney, FBI, IRS, and NYS Attorney General for corruption:

The Legislative Ethics Commission is probing the hiring of Pedro G. Espada

Key Senate Coup Player Pedro Espada: Corrupt or Crazy or Both

Bronx DA and Andrew Cuomo Investigating State Senator Espada  read more »

To complete my coverage of the challengers to some of Albany's worst State Senators we come to Desiree Pilgrim-Hunter, who is challenging the gay-hating, corrupt ally of "Slasher" Monserrate: Pedro Espada, jr.

From Desiree Pilgrim-Hunter's website:

Over the past two decades, Desiree Pilgrim-Hunter has become a trusted Community Leader in the Northwest Bronx, where she fights to improve the quality of life for local residents and families.  read more »

Behold the majesty of representative government.

Exhibit A: Democratic Senator Ruben Diaz about the most recent - as of this writing, no guarantee that this is current - meltdown by Democratic Senator Kevin Parker:

"He needs help," "He lost control of himself."

Exhibit B: Parker responds by calling Diaz a homophobe. Which is, you know, kinda true. Certainly the good Reverend thinks more about gay sex then do actual gay people; take it from me.

Exhibit C: Democratic Majority Leader Pedro Espada gets hit with yet another lawsuit courtesy of Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, this time alleging yet another rip-off of widows and orphans, in a matching set with Cuomo's recent suit alleging the embezzlement of thirteen more than fourteen million dollars by Pedro. Needless to say, Pedro is presently howling victimhood.

New Yorkers have some hard choices to make about the people we send to represent us.