As election season rolls around, unions are endorsing candidates. The New York State United Teachers (NYSUT) made a few in bulk.
This week, NYSUT officials endorsed U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer, New York State Gov. Kathy Hochul, New York Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin, New York State Attorney General Letitia James and New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli for re-election.
NYSUT hadn’t endorsed a gubernatorial candidate since 2006 but decided to hop back in for the state’s first woman governor.
“Gov. Hochul has met the challenges we face head-on from day one of her administration, proving she has what it takes to lead New York through the pandemic and to new heights,” Pallotta stated. “Her commitment to listening to the needs of our members signals a new day in Albany, and we look forward to working alongside her to ensure we build on our high-quality public education, higher education and health care systems in the next four years.” He also said that she and Benjamin make a “formidable” ticket.
James has already received the endorsement of the National Organization for Women of New York (NOW) and The Collective PAC, a political action committee focused on increasing Black political engagement.
NYSUT picked DiNapoli because, according to Pallotta, the state comptroller has been a longtime supporter of organized labor and his bonafides have been established in state politics.
“Tom’s dedication to financial stewardship is unmatched,” Pallotta said. “In particular, Tom has been a stalwart protector of retirement security for public employees his entire career. There is no better champion of the idea that public employees deserve a secure and fair retirement.”
NYSUT wasn’t the only union to endorse DiNapoli. 32BJ officials would announce their endorsement for him as part of his state comptroller re-election campaign.
32BJ President Kyle Bragg called DiNapoli “champion” for New York State residents.
“In his tenure as New York State comptroller, Thomas DiNapoli has consistently used the powers of his office to defend workers’ rights, better secure their futures and deliver resources for all New Yorkers,” said Bragg in a statement.
“Growing up in a union household, DiNapoli has long understood the importance of putting first the needs of workers and their families and supporting worker struggles to improve their conditions, through his support of workers in strikes and fights against unfair labor practices, overseeing record growth in the pension fund for public service workers, and documenting the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on services and industries vital to New Yorkers, such as health, transportation and education.”