Members of the South Asian and Indo-Caribbean communities in Queens rallied behind Assemblywoman Grace Meng on Monday.
They formed South Asians for Grace to bolster her campaign as she fights through a contentious Democratic primary against Assemblyman Rory Lancman and Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley.
“When elected officials attack immigrants, they are really attacking the American Dream,” said Sayu Bhojwani, former NYC Commissioner of Immigrant Affairs. “In Congress, Grace Meng will protect the values that make our country great by fighting for fair immigration policies and opposing the immigrant-bashing that has become an unfortunate reality in American politics.”
Lancman Takes on Social Security, Wins Another Union
Lancman also added to his supporters on Monday. He announced that the union representing 275,000 healthcare workers in New York State endorsed him.
1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East bolsters Lancman’s stronghold with organized labor in Queens.
“Right now, working New Yorkers who have borne the brunt of this economic crisis need a champion in Washington to fight for them, and that champion is Rory Lancman,” said George Gresham, President of 1199 SEIU. “Rory is someone who understands the challenges that working families face, and time and time again has gone above and beyond to deliver for New Yorkers who work for a living.”
In addition to the endorsement, Lancman started laying out details on some of his positions. On Monday, Lancman and Assemblywoman Cathy Nolan (D-Ridgewood) stood in front of a closed Social Security office in Glendale and called for it to be reopened.
Lancman said that in congress he would push to raise Social Security’s $110,100 taxable income cap in an effort to keep social security solvent.
“This shuttered Social Security office is a brick-and-mortar representation of the misguided choices being made in Washington: Republicans protecting tax cuts for the rich instead of protecting Social Security benefits for seniors,” Lancman said.
“Instead of asking seniors to sacrifice more by raising the retirement age, cutting benefits, subjecting our hard-earned retirement dollars to the whims of the market or closing offices that serve thousands of residents, Congress should raise the taxable income cap so that the Mitt Romneys of the world kick in their fair share.”
Teamsters Endorse Crowley
Councilwoman Crowley received a pair of endorsements from International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 210 and Local 553 on Wednesday.
The two represent 30,000 workers in various industries, including pharmaceuticals, warehouse and distribution, air conditioning service, dispatching, home heating oil delivery, and JFK Airport fueling operation and support.
“As a member of the City Council, Elizabeth Crowley has been a champion for working families,” said Local 210 Principal Officer George L. Miranda. “We need Elizabeth Crowley in Washington because she is a fighter who will put the interest of the middle class first by supporting smart policies to boost our economy and makes sure we all share in that growth.”
Fire Marshals for Halloran
Councilman Dan Halloran, so far the only Republican challenger, also received an endorsement well ahead of the general election in November.
The Fire Marshals Benevolent Association (FMBA) threw its support behind him on Monday.
Crowley previously had a lock on fire and police union endorsements.
The FMBA, however, is a fraternal organization completely separate from the unions.
“Dan has worked tirelessly for his constituents as their City Council member,” said president Bill Kregler. “We need Dan’s commitment to working class families in combating a runaway dysfunctional Washington administration. Dan will steer this Titanic administration from disaster and put our country back on the right course.”
By Jeremiah Dobruck
