Democratic sources confirm Albert Baldeo, who came within some 800 votes of ousting veteran Republican Sen. Serphin Maltese in 2006, will throw his support to the Democratic establishment candidate, Councilman Joe Addabbo, this afternoon and stop campaigning.
Techincally speaking, Baldeo can't officially drop out of the race since it's too late to remove his name from the primary ballot.
The formal announcement will be made at 3 p.m. at Baldeo's law offices on Liberty Avenue. Also expected to attend are Addabbo, Senate Minority Leader Malcolm Smith, Rep. Greg Meeks and Queens Democratic Chairman Joe Crowley.
This is not good news for Maltese, who is one of the Democrats' top targets as they try to take control of the Senate from the GOP this fall. Baldeo had threatened to remain in the general election on a third party line, which could have made a difference in a contest that's expected to be very close.
Baldeo surprised New York Democrats when he nearly toppled Maltese with no assistance whatsoever from the party and made leaders realize just how vulnerable the Queens Republican is.
Baldeo used his own money to fund his campaign - much of which he still owes himself. As of 32 days before the primary, he had $401,101 on hand.
Addabbo had $138,736.
Baldeo, a former City Council contender, had argued that he was owed another shot at Maltese, but the party considered him problematic (at best) and instead backed Addabbo.
No word on whether a deal was reached to convince Baldeo to leave the race. At one point, Queens Democratic Party Executive Secretary said Baldeo had sought a judgeship in exchange for his agreement to drop out, but was turned down because the deadline for judicial screening had already passed.
