The political organization he once commanded is about to turn on disgraced Assemblyman Vito Lopez, The Post has learned.
Sources said the Brooklyn Democratic Party is close to endorsing Antonio Reynoso for the City Council seat that Lopez has been coveting for months, ever since he was accused of sexually harassing female staffers, and most of his powers in the Assembly were removed.
“There’s a good chance the party is going to go with Reynoso,” said one insider.
“They’re definitely not supporting Vito.”
“It’s definitely a slap in the face,” declared another source.
Until eight months ago, when the sex-harassment charges exploded, Lopez was one of the most powerful politicians in the city. Much of that power came from his iron-handed grip on the Brooklyn Democratic organization.
The new leader installed last September, Frank Seddio, had been Lopez’s friend and protégé. But sources said the two “are not getting along. Vito thinks he’s not showing respect.”
The endorsement of Reynoso, chief of staff to Councilwoman Diana Reyna, would be the ultimate show of disrespect.
Lopez has been trying to boot Reyna from her Bushwick seat for years, without success. This year, Reyna is leaving on her own because of term limits. This is Lopez’s opportunity and he’s taking it.
There’s not much left for him in Albany, and succeeding Reyna would be sweet revenge since, like so many people in Lopez’s life, she used to be an ally and is now a foe.
Much to the amazement of his critics and a large part of the political world, Lopez recently filed with the Campaign Finance Board as a candidate for her 34th District council seat.
Despite all his troubles, the 71-year-old Lopez is viewed as a formidable contender if he can escape possible criminal charges and gets to enter the race.
“Vito and [longtime ally Councilman Erik] Dilan are still the district leaders there,” noted one source.
Aside from Reynoso, two other candidates have registered and it’s possible even more will sign up.
“The more there are, the better it is for Vito,” the source said. “People in that district will still vote for him.”
The Brooklyn Democratic Party isn’t the force it used to be and some question if an endorsement of Reynoso will come with the resources needed to get him elected.
“It doesn’t mean a lot,” insisted one skeptic of the party’s backing.
But another source said if Seddio decides to pull the trigger, he’ll have no choice but to throw everything he has at defeating Lopez.
“Vito would have to be taken out,” the source declared emphatically.