As the Democratic primary for the 6th Congressional District looms just more than a month away, union endorsements for candidates keep rolling in.
Most recently, Assemblyman Rory Lancman received the backing of the New York State Public Employees Federation on Wednesday.
The union represents 54,000 public-sector professional workers across the state.
“At a time when workers and the middle class are under attack in Washington, we need a fighter who will put the needs of working New Yorkers before the desires of big corporations and special interests,” the union’s president, Ken Brynien, said.
“Rory Lancman has shown that he is that fighter. From his leadership on issues like safe patient handling and violence in the workplace, to his commitment to level the economic playing field, Rory Lancman has time-and-time-again demonstrated why he deserves our endorsement, and the endorsement of all working New Yorkers in the 6th District.”
Lancman has found a strong foothold with labor endorsements.
Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley, also running for the 6th seat, has rivaled those union endorsements though.
On May 15, Crowley’s campaign heralded an endorsement of electrical workers as a game-changer in the election.
The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 3 is headquartered in a co-op complex located in the bounds of the 6th Congressional district.
With more than 7,000 people living in that building, their endorsement for Crowley could have a direct impact on those votes.
“Like Local 3, IBEW, Elizabeth Crowley is the right choice for the 6th Congressional District in Queens,” said Local 3 Business Manager Christopher Erikson. “She has always been a fighter for working families and a strong advocate for union members in the City Council, and I know that when Elizabeth goes to Washington she will deliver real results for her constituents. I’m proud to endorse her on behalf of the members of Local 3, and we will do everything to make sure Elizabeth Crowley becomes our next Congresswoman.”
Crowley received another union endorsement on May 21 when the Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York announced it would back her.
The union said it represents 100,000 people in New York City.
“As a building trades member, Elizabeth Crowley gets that we need to invest in our communities to create good jobs,” said Building and Construction Trades Council President Gary LaBarbera. “No one has been a better advocate for our unions and our workers than Elizabeth, and we’re proud to support her candidacy for Congress.”
Assemblywoman Grace Meng, the third major Democratic candidate in the primary, received a union endorsement this week too.
On May 18, Amalgamated Transportation Union Local No. 1056 announced its support for her.
It represents 2,400 MTA drivers and mechanics in Queens.
By Jeremiah Dobruck
