The Working Families Party this weekend decided to endorse former boxing star  and Democrat “Baby Joe” Mesi in the 61st Senate District race to replace retiring Sen. Mary Lou Rath.

He is running against Erie County Legislator Michele Iannello and Town of Amhert Councilman Daniel Ward. According to the Buffalo News, the WFP made the endorsement after interviewing Mesi, Iannello, and Ward.

Democrats are viewing the Rath seat as an opportunity in their effort to capture the Senate majority in the fall. The WFP has made it a priority to help Democrats win the majority this fall - it threw significant manpower and resources behind the Democrats in the Aubertine-Barclay race this past February.

But Democrats have to get through the primay first - which may be a long process, but the WFP endorsement gives Mesi a good boost. There’s already been a bit of drama in the race – in April, Mesi was accused of being involved in a bar fight, but authorities did not press charges.

Source: Times Union