Eric Adams is about to get a big boost in his bid to become New York’s next mayor, as Congressman Adriano Espaillat is expected to e👍ndorse him at a joint news conference Sunday, sources told The Post.
The twoಞ are slated to appear together at noon at the Plaza de Las Americas in Upper Manhattan.
The support of Espaillat, who originally backed the now scandal-scarred Scott Stringer, will make Latinos citywide stand up and take notice, a source close to t🧸he campaign said.
Espaillat has a political machine in northern Manhattan and The Bronx — particularly among his fellow Dominicans. With many Latino voters still undecided, Espaillat’s pull could give Adams enough of a push to expand his base to win the Democratic primary.
Other prominent Latino figures — notably Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., former Bronx Borough President Fernando Ferrer, Assemblyman and former Bronx Democratic leader Jose Rivera, and northern Manhattan Councilman Ydanis Rodriguez –are also backing Adams.
“Congressman Adriano will give Eric a boost,” said a source connected to the campaign.
“They know each other very well,” said the insider, who noted both Adams and Espaillat served together in the state Legislature.
Espaillat is the first Dominican American to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives. His congressional district includes Harlem, East Harlem, West Harl🔴em, Hamilton Heights, Washington Heights, Inwood, Marble Hill, and the north-west Bronx. He succeeded former Rep. Charles Rangel💧 after Rangel retired in 2016.
Rodriguez, like Espallat, is a Dominican native whose council district overlaps with Espaillat’s in the heavily Dominican neighborhoods of Washington Heights and Inwood — providing a one-two punch to sway northern Manhattan Hispanic constituents to support Adams.
The other Bronx pols of Puerto Rican descent will help Adams with the other key Hispanic constituency — Puerto Rican voters.
“Eric is going to carry the Latino vote. Public Safety is very important to the Latino community. People like when they hear that Eric used to be a police officer,” the source said.
Espaillat had endorsed Stringer in October, but withdrew his support after Stringer was accused of sexual misconduct.