Assembly candidate Epstein endorsed by Letitia James

Gov. Andrew Cuomo has set the special elections for 11 vacant legislative seats for April 24, and the races are heating up – including the contest for now-state Sen. Brian Kavanagh’s vacant Assembly seat.

Harvey Epstein is garnering high-profile endorsements, the latest being from New York City Public Advocate Letitia James. James is expected to announce her endorsement on Wednesday, highlighting Epstein’s activist background.

“Harvey Epstein’s determination and commitment to solving our biggest challenges is second to none,” James said. “He’s been a tenacious advocate for those pillars New Yorkers depend on: affordable housing, a quality education for our children and a mass transit system we can rely on. In Harvey Epstein, the people of Manhattan’s East Side have someone they can count on in Albany.”

Epstein is a project director at the Urban Justice Center, a former member of Manhattan Community Board 3 and tenant member of the New York City Rent Guidelines Board. Epstein said he looks forward to working with James on housing issues in the Assembly. Epstein also was endorsed by city Comptroller Scott Stringer on Tuesday.

Mike Corbett, an aide to City Councilman Costa Constantinides and president emeritus of the New York State Young Democrats, is also seeking the Democratic nod.

Correction: An earlier version of this post incorrectly identified the previous occupant of the seat Epstein is running for. The seat was previously held by Brian Kavanagh.