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

Espada's "nonprofits" rife with "administrative deficiencies and apparent misuse of funds"

Before Defecting, Espada Sought $2 Million for Bronx Groups

Espada is the poster boy for Albany corruption and dysfunction and the number one thing New Yorkers can do to make Albany better is get rid of this sleaze Espada.

Here is Desiree Hunter's statement to DFNYC:

Election Day: Tuesday, September 14, 2010 (Democratic Primary - This is a safe Democratic seat)

Opponents: (in alphabetical order), Pedro Espada Jr. (incumbent - statement), Jose Gustavo Rivera (statement)

Statement of Desiree Pilgrim-Hunter:

Dear Members of Democracy for NYC:

This year, the work of reforming Albany begins in the 33rd Senate District, currently represented by Pedro Espada Jr.

As a community organizer and also President of the largest housing cooperative in the Bronx, I have developed a deep understanding of the issues and challenges facing this district. As a Senator, I will work with my colleagues in Albany on these fundamental principles:

Housing: Repeal vacancy decontrol, extend rent and eviction protections to former Mitchell-Lama and federally subsidized buildings, and work to reform the Rent Guidelines Board process so that annual rent increases are fairer.

Education: My children went to public schools. My primary focus will be improving the quality of education in our public schools, where the overwhelming majority of students in my district are taught.

Jobs: I am for responsible development that ensures the community’s voice is heard, and that workers are protected and paid a living wage.

Ethics: I support meaningful reform, which includes greater transparency in financial disclosures, stronger enforcement of campaign finance laws, increased reporting requirements for lobbyists and their clients, and closing loopholes to prevent large payments to state lawmakers. I also support a Clean Money Elections system that seeks to end “pay-to-play” culture in government.

My record of community activism sets me apart from the field of candidates. I am proud to see so many people, both in the Bronx and throughout New York City, coming together to support my campaign. I was recently endorsed by the Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club, an organization dedicated to equality and freedom for all LGBTQ people, RWDSU (the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union), Northwest Bronx for Change, along with 20 community leaders from the 33rd District. I would be honored to receive DFNYC’s endorsement as well.

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.

Desiree is currently serving her third term as President of the Fordham Hill Owners Corporation, the largest privately-owned and financed cooperative apartment complex in the Bronx, valued at $30 million dollars. In 2007, Desiree led a successful campaign to replace the previous Board of Directors, after questions arose over management practices and how the cooperative’s finances were being spent. As a result of her efforts to inform residents about their rights as shareholders, Desiree was elected Board President and has since been re-elected twice. She oversees a budget of $12.5 million dollars and is widely credited with bringing a period of transparency and stable management to Fordham Hill, whose 1,119 units are spread over 10 buildings and are home to over 4,000 residents.

Desiree is a Board Member of the Northwest Bronx Community and Clergy Coalition, a thirty-five year old grassroots organization with over 10,000 members, dedicated to social justice and leadership development. Over the years she has worked with unions to expand benefits to Bronx workers, lobbied the MTA for transportation alternatives in the West Bronx, fought to reduce school overcrowding and change Department of Education policy regarding drop-out prevention, and led a campaign to highlight the foreclosure crisis facing Bronx homeowners. She represents Fordham Evangelical Lutheran Church in the Metropolitan New York Synod.

Desiree was also the key spokesperson for the Kingsbridge Armory Redevelopment Alliance (KARA), a coalition comprised of elected officials, unions and community members, formed with the goal of negotiating a Community Benefits Agreement with the City of New York over the redevelopment of the landmark Kingsbridge Armory. This thirteen year campaign recently resulted in two historic 2009 City Council votes that stopped the third-largest developer in New York City from implementing its plans, after neither the city nor the developer would guarantee living-wage jobs at the Armory for Bronx workers despite millions of dollars being awarded in tax breaks and subsidies...

Desiree believes strongly in the need for a return to honest, accountable leadership in state government. Her record of service to her community has consistently put her on the side of Bronx families and strengthened her belief that elected officials should at all times put the interests and aspirations of the communities they represent first.

I should note that Jose Gustavo Rivera is also running in this primary and he seems pretty good...definitely EITHER Desiree or Jose would be better than Sleaze Espada. My preference is for Desiree Pilgrim-Hunter partly because groups like DFNYC and Stonewall are endorsing her. But let's be clear on this folks: the key thing is to get rid of Espada. So please check out and help Desiree Pilgrim-Hunter and/or Jose Gustavo Rivera and rid this state of corrupt and dysfunctional Pedro Espada, jr.