Maya Wiley gets nod from former presidential hopeful Julian Castro

NEW YORK — New York City mayoral hopeful Maya Wiley picked up an endorsement Saturday from former presidential hopeful Julian Castro with less than three weeks to go before the Democratic primary.

“Maya has proven that she’s the candidate with the experience and strong vision to tackle New York’s biggest challenges,” said Castro in a statement.

“I’m proud to join a quickly growing list of local leaders and progressive champions who believe Maya is the best choice for mayor,” he continued.

The progressive candidate tweeted her gratitude for Castro’s endorsement.

“He’s a former mayor, so he knows that supporting working families and small businesses, improving housing affordability, and transforming policing need to be our priorities if every family is going to prosper. Let’s go!” Wiley wrote.

Castro, a former U.S. housing and urban development secretary and mayor of San Antonio, had sought the 2020 Democratic nomination for president.

The sole Latino candidate quickly dropped out after failing to gain traction in the polls and distinguish himself in the crowded Democratic field.

Castro later endorsed Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., then backed Joe Biden once the future president won the Democratic nomination.

All the mayoral hopefuls have been scrambling for endorsements as the June 22 primary draws closer.

Recent polls show Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, businessman Andrew Yang and former city Sanitation Commissioner Kathryn Garcia leading the pack.