Former Bronx Borough President Fernando Ferrer will chair Rep. Tom Suozzi's campaign for governor as he seeks to petition his way onto the June primary ballot. 

The development is the latest endorsement for Suozzi from a prominent Latino figure in New York political circles after former Brooklyn Councilwoman Diana Reyna was unveiled as his pick for lieutenant governor. 

“I am honored that Fernando Ferrer has agreed to serve as our campaign chairman and will help us continue to grow our people-powered campaign, especially in the Latino community,” Suozzi said. “A highly-respected public servant in New York Democratic politics for decades, Freddy brings enormous credibility and expertise as we continue talking to Democrats across the state about addressing the crime crisis, lowering our property and state income taxes and bettering our schools."

Suozzi added, "Latino voices need to be at the table, not overlooked or ignored," after New York Democrats this week backed a slate of statewide candidates that does not include any Latino candidates. 

Ferrer served as Bronx borough president from 1987 to 2001. He was the Democratic nominee for mayor of New York City in 2005, losing to Mayor Michael Bloomberg that year. 

"Tom is the right person to lead our state and has the proven executive experience and the right values to solve the challenges that are affecting real people," Ferrer said. "Tom and Diana are the most qualified and best suited to lead the Democratic Party to victory in November. Most importantly, they are the only two candidates who are willing to tackle the crime crisis, fix our troubled schools, grow jobs and improve the lives of all New Yorkers.”