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Powerful Union Grassroots Campaign Produces Critical Victory for Suozzi

New York State AFL-CIO
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Albany, NY – Working people are celebrating after the Union Movement’s coordinated grassroots campaign helped push Tom Suozzi to victory.

“We promised Tom that the endorsement of our 2.5 million members meant he would have the benefit of labor’s powerful grassroots campaign. And I am proud to say that we delivered,” said Mario Cilento, president of the New York State AFL-CIO.

Union volunteers logged more than 200,000 voter contacts in the 3rd Congressional District through canvasses, phone calls, mail pieces, palm cards, texts, and emails in addition to millions of digital ad impressions all targeting union members on the importance of getting Tom Suozzi in office to represent working people.

“I could not be prouder of the volunteers who showed up when we needed them, giving up time with their own families after work and on weekends, whatever we asked of them, to be actively involved in this critical race.

“We would not have been able to accomplish this victory without the determination and dedication of our members and the leaders of the New York City Central Labor Council and Long Island Federation of Labor who were instrumental in getting out the union vote,” Cilento said.

"The New York City Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO is proud to congratulate our friend Tom Suozzi on his successful re-election in NY’s Third Congressional District,” said NYC CLC President Vincent Alvarez. “Union members in Queens know that Tom has been a champion for working families throughout his entire career in public service, including during his time spearheading the House Labor Caucus. We know that we can count on Tom to continue fighting for policies that help all workers and supporting organized labor as the most effective means of building a strong middle class. We also extend our thanks to the hundreds of New York City union members who helped us get out the vote, making more than 50,000 calls and knocking on nearly 10,000 doors in Queens alone. Electing Tom Suozzi back to Congress isn’t just a victory for residents of the Third Congressional District, but the entire New York City Labor Movement.”

John R. Durso, President of the Long Island Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO said, “Our union movement does everything in our power to deliver for working people. In this election, that meant sending Tom Suozzi back to the House of Representatives. He has a 96% lifetime voting record on the issues that matter to working people.  He has demonstrated he is committed to working in a bipartisan manner, something we need more of in this country.  His victory is a good thing for working Americans.”

“This outcome demonstrates the Union Movement’s commitment to stand together and elect leaders who will protect workers’ rights and grow the middle class, for the benefit of all working people,” Cilento added.