CUOMO DISSES WORKING FAMILIES PARTY

Albany, N.Y.-- Just moments ago, Attorney General Andrew Cuomo has told the state's Working Families Party he will not seek the pro-labor group's endorsement for governor, instead embracing the more conservative Independence Party.  Citing the ongoing federal investigation of the WFP, the campaign of Democratic gubernatorial candidate announced it will not submit his name for consideration at the party’s upcoming convention.

The move is a serious blow to the Party, which must poll at least 50,000 votes in the upcoming gubernatorial contest to maintain its ballot line, the major source of its political clout. Cuomo left open the possibility of re-visiting the issue in September.

Despite its formidable power within New York City and Albany, the WFP has been through one crisis after another and is currently under federal investigation. This week it accepted several internal reforms suggested by former Chief State Judge Judith Kaye.

Most recently the Party has been leading the campaign to win paid sick days for New York City's private sector workforce. WFP officials say at their Buffalo confab this weekend they'll designate a candidate for governor.

In 2008, the WFP played a critical role in the Democratic takeover of the state Senate.