By Stephon Johnson
32BJ SEIU chapters on both sides of the Hudson River announced their endorsement leading up to Election Day in early November.
This month, on the New York side of the Hudson, officials from SEIU 32BJ, endorsed. EricAdams for mayor, Jumaane Williams for public advocateandBrad Lander for comptroller. They’ve also endorsedVanessa Gibson for Bronx borough president,Antonio Reynoso for Brooklyn borough president, Eric González for Brooklyn district attorney, Mark Levine for Manhattan borough president, Alvin Bragg for Manhattan district attorneyandDonovan Richards for Queens borough president.
Dozens of other City Council candidates were endorsed by the union as well.
SEIU 32BJ President Kyle Bragg stated that the union’s preferred candidates are the ones who best can shepherd New York through the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
“As our city continues to fight against COVID-19 and works hard to come back from the effects of the virus on our communities and our economy, our members want candidates who will fight for them and for all working New Yorkers, and push for a worker-led recovery. Our members are confident that the candidates they have endorsed will do that, and more,” said Bragg. “With so many members of our city government coming in fresh and taking on new roles, our members relish the opportunity to support a new cadre of leaders to take our city to where it needs to go next.”
On the New Jersey side, 32BJ SEIU announced its endorsements for the 2021 election.
The union used virtual screenings to have candidates address issues brought forth by union members. As a result, the unions endorsed Steven Fulop for mayor of Jersey City, Ravi S. Bhalla for mayor of Hoboken, Dhalia Vertreese for mayor of Hillside, Michael Soriano for mayor of Parsippany, and Timothy Dougherty for mayor of Morristown. The union also endorsed Denise Ridley, Mira Prinz-Arey, Rich Bogiano, Yousef Saleh, James Solomon, and Jermaine Robinson Jersey City Council and Rolando Lavarro, Joyce Watterman, Amy Degise council-at-large seats.
32BJ SEIU Vice President and New Jersey State Director Kevin Brown said endorsements from the union should remind elected officials of not only what but who they represent.
“Most of the decisions made at the city and township government level have a direct impact in the lives of workers,” stated Brown. “Ordinances such as standard wage or worker retention protections are often first made into law at this level. Therefore, it is imperative that we endorse candidates that would support a common objective to change the lives of the members for the better and improve our communities.”