A New York congressman called Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and Massachusets Sen. Elizabeth Warren “patronizing” for wading into the local race for Queens district attorney.
Democratic Rep. Gregory Meeks, who represents New York’s 5th Congressional District comprised mainly of Queens, issued a statement Wednesday condemning the two Democratic presidential candidates for endorsing Tiffany Cabán for Queens district attorney.
“I don’t know who they spoke with, but clearly they did not speak with the elected officials of Queens County, or the people who elected them,” Meeks said. Meeks has endorsed one of Cabán’s opponents, Melinda Katz, who is white. Cabán is of Puerto Rican descent.
“African American voters are tired of the patronizing and tired of the arrogance. If they want to be the president for all Americans I suggest they speak with us before they decide to speak for us,” Meeks added.
NEW: @RepGregoryMeeks hits back at @ewarren and @SenSanders after they wade into NYC Queens district attorney race…
“If they want to be President for all Americans, I suggest they speak with us before they decide to speak for all of us.” pic.twitter.com/ZEU66bDunq
— Laura Barrón-López (@lbarronlopez) June 19, 2019
The district attorney race has pulled in high-profile endorsements for both Cabán and Katz. Ocasio-Cortez endorsed Cabán, while her 2018 opponent, former Rep. Joe Crowley, is backing Katz.
Cabán also secured a deflated endorsement from the New York Times, which called her “the best pick” of a disappointing field.
