Schumer endorses against former Black Panther Barron

Sen. Charles Schumer (R-N.Y.) has endorsed New York state Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries (D) over Charles Barron (D), the controversial New York City Councilman and former Black Panther who has union backing in the race.

Barron has in the past called Moammar Gadhafi and Robert Mugabe his "heroes," compared the Israeli government to the Nazis, and at one point said he wanted to "slap" the nearest white person — all comments he stands by today.

"I know the streets of this district like the back of my hand from when I represented many of its neighborhoods and I know that Hakeem Jeffries is the man who will get the job done for all the people in Brooklyn and Queens," said Schumer in the endorsement.

The senator, who as a congressman represented parts of the district, becomes the latest establishment Democrat to back Jeffries, who was recently invited to have his picture taken with President Obama. Obama does not endorse in open-seat primaries but the meeting sent a clear signal who he's behind.

The two are running to replace Rep. Edolphus Towns (D-N.Y.), who is backing Barron. Other Barron supporters include the AFSCME union's powerful local affiliate.

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