Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Defeated Espada Vows to Keep Fighting, With LOVE
By
John Del Signore
Published Sep 15, 2010
Modified Sep 15, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
John Del Signore
Published Sep 15, 2010
Modified Sep 15, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gustavo Rivera may have trounced soon-to-be FORMER State Senate Majority Leader Pedro Espada, Jr. by a margin of 62%-32%, but don't think for a second this resounding loss means the end of the Espada dynasty. Like his fellow coup-mate Hiram Monserrate, Espada is vowing to come back with a vengeance. But unlike Monserrate, whose comeback attempt ended last night with another humiliating loss, Espada has the power of LOVE on his side. The Observer reports that during his concession speech last night at a Bronx nightclub, Espada told supporters:
When everybody lines up against you—I learned this a long time ago—when everything and everybody lines up against you, most people, the great majority of people, run and hide. And what we did, what we said was "you might win this round because you have compiled all of this venom and hatred but we will in the long run win because we deal with positive energy, we deal with love. "
As I go to sleep and wake up tomorrow, I am reinvigorated and I am ready for the next fight. So New York Post, The Daily News, Fox Network—all of you: You wish that would disappear, but I'm telling you I'm here to stay." I know we have some doubters here. We took the community of faith as a partner. We haven't lost faith. I've lost—listen to me—I've lost political contests before. The difference between this fighter and other people is that they quit. Understand that I'm not quitting anything.
Earlier, Espada responded to Rivera's allegations that Espada's team violated a number of election laws during yesterday's primary, and used intimidation to keep Rivera voters away from the polls. Espada's statement is such classic Espada you almost hate to see him go: "In a sign of twisted irony, Gustavo's campaign is showing dangerous signs of intolerance by following the Senator in a manner and style that mimics the ubiquitous surveillance of the old Soviet dictatorship. This is America! All campaigning must be free of questionable surveillance, harassment and intimidation!"
After wrapping up his defiant concession speech, the Observer reports that Espada stepped off the stage into a mob of reporters. "Visibly deflated and glistening with sweat in the light of NY1's cameras, Espada was clearly a man who had been denied his prize." But without the constant whirlwind of Albany politics to distract him, at least he'll now finally be able to concentrate on his legal defense.
Tagged
amigo
bronx
concession
election 2010
gustavo rivera
love
pedro espada
primary
state senate
John Del Signore
Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Police are still investigating bike crash that killed dad of 2 in Central Park
The family is raising money for the wife and two daughters he leaves behind.
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Published Sep 29, 2026 at 9:31 a.m. ET
NYC has a plan to stop homeless people from cycling between hospitals and the streets
The Bridge to Home program, which began last year, will officially expand to Brooklyn on Tuesday.
By
Karen Yi
News
NYC has a plan to stop homeless people from cycling between hospitals and the streets
The Bridge to Home program, which began last year, will officially expand to Brooklyn on Tuesday.
By
Karen Yi
Early Addition: Billy Joel is auctioning off 70 of his motorcycles
By
James Ramsay
Man dragged to death by subway in Brooklyn after getting caught on closing doors
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Upper East Side braces for affordable housing fast track, and backlash from residents
By
David Brand
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .