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Among all the diverse groups on Eastern Parkway Monday, one of the most-well-represented groups was politicians.

And there was no concealing what they came for.

“Vote for me; don’t wish,” said Democratic candidate for governor Andrew Cuomo. “I don’t need wishes. I need votes.”

With banners and signs, some of them on wheels, elected officials and candidates for office did their best to connect with the Caribbean community, in what is the city’s largest parade of the year.

“Whenever you have voters, you’re going to have elected officials,” said City Councilman Jumaane Williams. “And there’s just millions of people out here today. So this is the place to be today. If you’re an elected official, if you have a race, and you’re not here, it’s a huge problem.”

Four of the five Democrats running for state attorney general marched, as did the man they seek to replace –Andrew Cuomo, who did his best to steer the conversation toward campaign themes like jobs and reforming Albany.

“It’s not enough to have a federal government that’s working,” said Cuomo. “We need a state government that’s working. So creating jobs, creating jobs, creating jobs, and cleaning up Albany, so we have a government that functions and that people can be proud of once again.”

To be fair, not everyone here was in campaign mode. Mayor Michael Bloomberg served as an honorary grand marshal, as did Governor David Paterson, who appealed for a moratorium on the heated rhetoric surrounding the planned Islamic cultural center near the World Trade Center site.

“Myself, I’m gonna try not, as much as I can, to talk about that issue for a week,” said Paterson. “Just to see if this exercise would help New Yorkers.”

And whatever the political benefits of attending the parade, many insisted they simply enjoy it.

“I don’t even go through the parade just once. I usually go through it two or three times, just because it is so festive, it lasts for so long,” said City Comptroller John Liu.

“It’s a great opportunity to shake a lot of hands,” said Senator Kirsten Gillibrand who is facing competition for her seat this November. “Great opportunity to say hello to a lot of friends.”