14 Black Clergy Members Endorse Andrew Cuomo for Mayor
Faith Leaders Support Cuomo for Mayor, Citing Stellar Record on Leadership and Social Justice; Latest Nod Brings Nearly 50 Clergy Members to Cuomo Across Five Boroughs
Andrew Cuomo has always been a fighter—standing up for working families, challenging the status quo, and delivering real results for New Yorkers. His leadership has strengthened communities, tackled tough issues, and put the needs of the people first.
- Prominent Faith Leaders
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, candidate for Mayor of New York City, today met with Bishop Orlander Findlayter who organized a meeting with 14 other clergy members in Brooklyn, where he proudly received their key endorsement. The clergy members represent the culturally rich congregations of Brooklyn and Queens. In citing their decision to support Governor Cuomo, the faith leaders proclaimed that Cuomo has spent a lifetime in public service devoted to advancing the cause of social justice and uplifting communities not only through his words but by his actions.
"Andrew Cuomo has always been a fighter—standing up for working families, challenging the status quo, and delivering real results for New Yorkers. His leadership has strengthened communities, tackled tough issues, and put the needs of the people first. Now, as our city faces rising inequality, public safety challenges, housing instability, and economic uncertainty—all while trust in government continues to erode—we need bold, decisive leadership more than ever. Governor Cuomo has the experience, vision, and courage to take on these challenges head-on. He understands the struggles of everyday New Yorkers, particularly Black and brown communities that we represent and have dedicated our lives to uplifting. With his unwavering commitment to justice and proven leadership, Governor Cuomo is the proven leader we need as Mayor, which is why we proudly endorse Governor Cuomo for Mayor of New York City,” the prominent faith leaders said.
This clergy endorsement comes off the heels of Governor Cuomo’s endorsement last Sunday where he received the endorsement of 32 clergy members from across all five boroughs, beginning with Reverend Johnnie Green. With this new support, Cuomo has now garnered support from 46 clergy members from across New York City. These spiritual leaders have dedicated their lives to the uplifting of others and their pursuit of social justice.
Clergy members include:
Pastor Sam Nicolas, Evangelical Crusade Christian Church
Lady Faride Nicolas, Evangelical Crusade Christian Church
Assistant, Daphnee Champaign, New Hope Christian Fellowship
Pastor Colleen Kendall, Jesus Deliverance Mission
Pastor Widmarc Pierre, Free Methodist Church of Bethlehem
Bishop, Mervin Harding, Grace Deliverance Taberncale
Reverend Dr., Henry Joseph, Grace Church International
Minister, Nicole Langlaiste, Worldwide Association of Small Churches
Pastor, Mullery Laurent, Beraca Baptist Church
Reverend Dr., Allen Martin, Northeastern Conference of Seventh-Day Adventist
Pastor, Tyrone Stevenson, Hope City Church
Pastor, James Thornton, Salem Missionary Baptist Church
Pastor, Rode Valme, Fernande Valme Ministries Inc. (F.V.M)
Bishop Dr. Cheryl Ault-Barker, Consuming Fire Industries
Throughout his career in public service, Governor Cuomo has been a champion for working New Yorkers. He raised wages for millions, protected the right to organize when the Supreme Court tried to break the back of the labor movement, increased access to healthcare, enacted the nation's strongest paid family leave program and expanded apprenticeships, vocational training, and workforce development programs. He also advanced the most substantial infrastructure program in a generation, including the Second Avenue Subway, the Moynihan Train Hall and the new Kosciuszko Bridge and the new JFK and LaGuardia Airports – all major projects built with union labor.
These prolific clergy members join U.S. Rep. Ritchie Torres, former New York State Comptroller Carl McCall, former Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., Brooklyn Democratic Chair, Assembly Member Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, the Staten Island Democratic Party, Assembly Member Charles Fall, Assembly Member Eddie Gibbs, Assembly Member Yudelka Tapia, Assembly Member Latrice Walker, Assembly Member Erik Dilan, Assembly Member Jordan Wright, Assembly Member Stacey Pheffer Amato, Assembly Member Sam Berger, Assembly Member Vivian Cook, Assembly Member John Zaccaro, Assembly Member William Colton, Council Member Kamillah Hanks, Council Member Farah N. Louis, Council Member Susan Zhuang, Council Member Darlene Mealy, the New York City Deputy Sheriffs’ Benevolent Association, New York City Coalition of the International Union of the Operating Engineers, The Utility Workers Union of America Local 1-2, Teamsters Local 237, Local 3 IBEW, New York City and Vicinity District Council of Carpenters, District Council 9 of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, 35 District Leaders across the city, former National Director of the Anti-Defamation League Abe Foxman, the Village Reform Democratic Club, Taminent Regular Democratic Club, American Jewish Congress, and the Italian American Leadership Council in endorsing Governor Cuomo for Mayor of New York City.
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