A rarity: NY Republican politician endorsed by African-American clergy, and other prominent Democrats

Rob Astorino, the Westchester County Executive, running for re-election. Interesting, because Astorino is certainly a fiscally and socially conservative Republican.

Mt. Vernon, NY–June 22nd….A coalition of prominent African-American ministers, led by the President of the United Black Clergy of Westchester, on Saturday endorsed Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino for re-election. The announcement was made in Mount Vernon where the County Executive was surrounded by several African-American supporters.

The clergy members include:

• Bishop C. Nathan Edwers, President United Black Clergy and Pastor at Friendship Worship Church, Mount Vernon;
• Rev. Dr. W. Franklyn Richardson, Senior Pastor, Grace Baptist Church, Mount Vernon
• Bishop Gay Thompson Steele, Pastor at Faith Mission Church, Yonkers
• Bishop Dominic Allotey, Pastor at Living Faith, Mount Vernon
• Rev. Michael Gerald, Pastor at Shiloh Baptist Church, Tuckahoe
• Rev. William Mitzell, Assoc. Pastor at Grace Baptist Church, Mount Vernon
• Pastor Reford Mott, Senior Pastor, Family Christian Center, New Rochelle

“The re-election of County Executive Rob Astorino is essential to
rooting out bloat and waste in government so that services for the most
needy can be protected,” said the President of the United Black Clergy
of Westschester, Bishop C. Nathan Edwers.  ”County Executive Astorino
has broad support among African American ministers because he has shown
that he can do can more with less using solid fiscal management
practices. These are tight times, and Mr. Astorino works tirelessly to
lessen the pain and support the neediest in our county.”

And this –

Prominent Westchester Democrats Launch “Democrats for Astorino”

‘DEMOCRATS FOR ASTORINO’ ANNOUNCED IN MOUNT VERNON

Rev. Dr. W. Franklin Richardson, Former Democratic State Assemblyman
Ron Tocci, Martine Fleishman, Nancy Zaro to Co-Chair Bi-Partisan Effort
to Re-elect Astorino