David Ochoa, a Democratic State Senate hopeful, has gotten a leg up on his two primary competitors with the backing of the state Working Familes Party. His rivals are Legis. Ricardo Montano (D-Central Islip) and Jimmy Dahroug, an aide to County Executive Steve Levy.
The importance of cornering the WFP line is not only in the votes the labor-backed party might bring, but in the fact that even if he loses the Democratic primary the Holbrook Democrat wouldl still be on the November ballot, splitting the vote. Ochoa said he has also gained the endorsement of the Integrity Party.
Ochoa said he believes this all shows he is gaining “viability and traction.” The Working Families Party two years ago endorsed the Republican incumbent, Sen. Caesar Trunzo (R-Brentwood).
Rick Brand
“We took the endorsement away from him and it shows my message is starting to jell,” Ochoa said.
Montano declined to comment on Ochoa’s endorsement. Dahroug, who ran two years ago, said he is “focused on winning the Demcoratic primary and hopes David will do the right thing by supporting me afterward.”