Happy Friday, everyone. On to the news!

Big feature in the Times today on Pedro Espada Jr.’s fight to retain his seat in the 33rd Senate District despite multiple efforts to knock him out of office. Despite the effort, most of which are being made on behalf of challenger Gustavo Rivera, one analyst said Espada should still be considered the favorite. “You’ve got to believe he’s the favorite, and if you don’t, you’re underestimating a guy who should not be underestimated,” Scott Levenson, of the Advance Group, told the Times.

Here’s some audio the Times has on the race, along with the story.