New York State AFL-CIO Announces Endorsements for Attorney General and State Comptroller

Manhattan, NY – Today the 2.5 million member New York State AFL-CIO announced the endorsement of New York City Public Advocate Letitia “Tish” James for New York State Attorney General and the endorsement of Tom DiNapoli for re-election as New York State Comptroller.

The endorsements took place at the state federation’s 2018 Committee on Political Education (COPE) Convention at the Sheraton NY Times Square Hotel in New York City. More than 1,000 delegates, representing union members from the public sector, private sector and building trades, were in attendance.

Mario Cilento, president of the New York State AFL-CIO said, “As the Public Advocate for the City of New York, Tish James stood up for all New Yorkers. She will bring that same passion statewide as our Attorney General to protect New Yorkers against the onslaught of attacks by those in Washington set out to destroy the middle class.”

“For generations, the NYS AFL-CIO has led the fight for social and economic justice for millions of New Yorkers and I am honored to earn their support. As the next Attorney General, I will continue to work hand in hand with the members of the NYS AFL-CIO to ensure they have the fair wages, safe work conditions, and support they need. I’ll never waver in my commitment to protecting the hardworking men and women of New York and will never shy away from challenging Donald Trump or any force that tries to roll back workers’ rights,” said Attorney General Candidate Tish James.

“Throughout his time as State Comptroller, Tom DiNapoli has not only successfully managed the third largest pension fund in the United States to an all-time high; he has always been a true friend of labor. From enacting Industrial Development Agency (IDA) reforms that for the first time requires transparency and accountability standards when public money is used for economic development, to supporting IUE-CWA members when they were on strike against Momentive Manufacturing in Waterford. Tom has always supported us,” said Mario Cilento, president of the New York State AFL-CIO.

"New York's greatest strength has always been the hardworking women and men who keep our state moving forward.  With so much at stake, I'm proud of my record fighting for New York's working families, defending people's retirements, protecting taxpayers and holding corporations and government accountable. I'm honored to have the support of the New York State AFL-CIO," said New York State Comptroller, Tom DiNapoli.

Earlier this summer the state federation proudly endorsed Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul in their re-election campaigns.

The NYS AFL-CIO has been educating and engaging our members as part of a grassroots campaign to get them to the polls to elect all our endorsed candidates.

A complete list of NYS AFL-CIO endorsed candidates can be accessed here.

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The New York State AFL-CIO is a federation of 3,000 affiliated public sector, private sector, and building trades unions throughout the state representing 2.5 million members, retirees and their families. Our State Federation, which is the largest and most diverse in the country, is committed to helping working families achieve a better life. For more information on the Labor Movement in New York, visit www.nysaflcio.org.