Politcal Briefs 09.27.18
New Union Support for Zeldin
Representative Lee Zeldin’s campaign has announced endorsements from eight unions, bringing the congressman’s total number of union endorsements to 25.
Mr. Zeldin, a Republican, is seeking a third term in Congress. He is opposed in the race by the Democratic Party’s nominee, Perry Gershon, who lives in East Hampton.
The International Union of Operating Engineers Local 15, the Laborers’ International Union of North America Local 78, the Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association of the City of New York, the New England Regional Council of Carpenters of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, the Sergeants Benevolent Association of the N.Y.P.D., the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Joint Council No.16, the New York State Troopers Police Benevolent Association, and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 2230 are the latest unions to announce endorsement of Mr. Zeldin’s campaign.
“The Congressman’s strong record of passing legislation that protects workers’ rights and helps create good paying jobs has earned him widespread support for his re-election campaign for Congress,” a statement from Mr. Zeldin’s campaign said.
Gershon Gets Grassroots Group’s Backing
Swing Left, a volunteer organization that is working to elect a Democratic majority in the House of Representatives, announced last Thursday that it is directing people to donate their time and money to Perry Gershon, the Democrats’ candidate for the First Congressional District, who is running to unseat Representative Lee Zeldin. The First District is one of six Republican-held districts it is newly targeting.
Along with the first district, which encompasses the Towns of East Hampton, Southampton, Shelter Island, Southold, Riverhead, Brookhaven, and part of Smithtown, the group’s newest targets are districts in Florida, Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Texas. In total, it is working to unseat Republican incumbents in 84 congressional districts.
“With Democrats contesting nearly every single House seat this year, and grassroots activists fired up and ready to win, we want to ensure that we connect everyone who can help with the smartest ways to invest their time, money, and energy this November to help us take back the House,” said Ethan Todras-Whitehill, co-founder and executive director of Swing Left. “We’re adding these new swing districts where we see the grassroots is building power and volunteers can move the needle to secure critical wins.”
Swing Left examined districts’ candidates, voting history, fund-raising gaps, and geographic proximity to its volunteers to identify the new districts where its volunteers could make a difference. The group has raised more than $7 million for Democratic candidates since it was formed in January 2017.
Earlier this month, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee added Mr. Gershon to its “red to blue” program, which also seeks to defeat Republican incumbents. The race is one of 82 among the 435 House races to hold that designation.
A.F.L.-C.I.O. for Thiele
Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele Jr. has announced the New York State A.F.L.-C.I.O., on the recommendation of the Long Island Federation of Labor, has endorsed his re-election effort.
The 250,000-member Long Island Federation of Labor, A.F.L.-C.I.O., represents a range of union workers including teachers, technicians, public employees, painters, bus drivers, and bricklayers, as well as retail, auto, janitorial, utility, health care, and construction workers.
“I will remain committed to protecting and advocating for good jobs with decent pay and benefits for all working families on Long Island,” Mr. Thiele said in a statement.