New York State AFL-CIO Announces Early Endorsements in Congressional Races

Albany - The 2.5 million member New York State AFL-CIO today announced the endorsements of candidates running for Congress in the 9th, 16th and 25th Congressional Districts.

The federation endorsed Rep. Yvette Clarke in the 9th Congressional District and Rep. Eliot Engel in the 16th District. The state AFL-CIO also endorsed Joseph Morelle’s candidacy for Congress in the 25th District.

President of the New York State AFL-CIO, Mario Cilento said, “We proudly support all three of these candidates. They have all demonstrated, through their deeds and actions over many years of public service, a commitment to work tirelessly on the issues important to working people.

“Joe Morelle is a natural successor to the late Congresswoman Louise Slaughter who served New Yorkers with such distinction. Throughout his years of service as a state Assemblymember, Joe fought hard to create solid middle-class jobs. He went above and beyond to ensure Buy American became law to give a much needed shot in the arm to the manufacturing industry here in New York State and will continue to fight for good jobs as a member of Congress.

“Representatives Clarke and Engel have stood with working men and women on many issues, calling out the tax scam for what it is, a package benefiting millionaires and billionaires over hardworking New Yorkers, protecting affordable health care, and defeating job-killing trade deals like the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP).

“With our early endorsements in place, we can now begin a grassroots campaign to get our members to the polls and ensure all three of these qualified candidates give workers a voice in Washington,” Cilento said.  

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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.