Police Union Endorses Scandal-Ridden Ruben Diaz Sr For Congress

NEW YORK CITY — The city's largest police union has endorsed for a south Bronx congressional seat a councilman who said the collapsed Amazon deal proved gay people control City Council and promised never to be a "rat" when it came to reporting sexual harassment.

The Police Benevolent Association chose City Councilman Rev. Ruben Diaz Sr. as its preferred candidate for the 15th congressional district facing a primary on June 23, according to a letter from President Patrick Lynch.

“Your commitment to public and law enforcement are well recognized," Lynch wrote in the letter, dated May 19. "It would be an honor to have you representing our members in Congress.”

The crowded race for the south Bronx district has pitted Diaz against former Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, Assembly member Michael Blake, activist Samelys Lopez, and council members Ritchie Torres and Ydanis Rodriguez.

Diaz Sr. is the father of Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. and a Pentecostal minister whose political career has been marked by scandal.

The council member lost a chairmanship when City Council dissolved his For-Hire Vehicles Committee after Diaz said the chamber was “controlled by the homosexual community," and later argued that Amazon's stunning reversal on its Queens HQ was evidence for this inflammatory claim.

The following month, Diaz sent out an email essay warning readers to "refrain from complimenting anyone" lest they be "charged with 'sexual harassment.'"

When Diaz announced his bid for the position, he promised voters, "I am the opposite of AOC."

Diaz shared the PBA's endorsement with his followers on Twitter Wednesday.

"I am proud and honored to receive the endorsement of New York’s Finest," said Diaz. "Thank you PBA!"