Andrew Cuomo Endorses Tony Avella for

New York State Senate

(Queens, NY) New York State Attorney General, and Gubernatorial Candidate, Andrew Cuomo
announced his endorsement of former City Council Member, Tony Avella, for State Senate.

Attorney General Cuomo, a Queens native, stated, "Changing Albany's dysfunction will not be
easy. That's why I need independent, reform-minded people like Democrat Tony Avella in the
State Senate. Together we'll provide tax-payers with real relief and we'll fight to clean-up state
government. Tony has my full support on November 2nd. I hope he can count on yours too."

Tony Avella stated, "Albany needs reform, but we can’t change Albany if we don’t change who
we send there. From voting to raise his own salary to denying women the right to choose and
equal protection under the law, Frank Padavan has shown he’s out of touch with the local
community. It is an honor to have the endorsement of our next Governor, Andrew Cuomo. He
has the record of results, and vision for change we need to move our state forward.”

As a member of the City Council, Avella earned a reputation as a proven reformer – rejecting
taxpayer-funded bonuses and turning down a twenty five percent pay raise, leading the charge
against the extension of term limits, and fighting for campaign and election reforms to level the
playing field and ensure everyone plays by the same set of rules.

Avella, who has has signed onto Attorney General Cuomo’s plan for reform, will work to pass
legislation requiring:
· Term limits;
· A balanced on-time budget; and
· Meaningful ethics and campaign finance reform, and tougher penalties for public
corruption.

His opponent, Senator Frank Padavan raised his own salary multiple times, voted for hundreds of
tax increases, and doubled spending and debt while the state faced record budget deficits.
Padavan has also followed an extremist anti-choice agenda which the New York Times
described as “backwards and dangerous,” including votes against Medicaid coverage for
abortion, parental notification, and the landmark, bipartisan Women's Health and Wellness Act,
which required insurance coverage of cancer screenings.
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