As the race for New York City mayor heats up, endorsements from labor unions play a pivotal role in shaping the electoral landscape.
Recent weeks have seen former Governor Andrew Cuomo aggressively pursue endorsements, garnering support from multiple labor unions, including a significant division of the Laborer’s International Union with tens of thousands of members.
However, the spotlight shifted this week when DC 37, one of the city’s largest and most influential unions representing city government employees, endorsed three candidates for mayor, leaving Cuomo out of the equation.
On Tuesday, DC 37 publicly endorsed City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani, and State Senator Zellnor Myrie in that order, a unique move as most organizations endorse multiple candidates without designating a specific ranking.
This 1-2-3 endorsement ranking provides an essential boost for Speaker Adams, who has so far polled in the single digits and has yet to qualify for matching funds.
Further bolstering her campaign, Adams received the backing of Attorney General Tish James, a significant endorsement that could help her traction in a crowded field.
Union endorsements are critical not only for their image and branding effects but also for the tangible support they can provide, including volunteers for door-knocking efforts, financial contributions, and, of course, votes.
DC 37 holds considerable sway, with 150,000 active members and 89,000 retirees, which translates to a vital ground force for any candidate.
While the impact of this public support remains uncertain, recent polling indicates that 14% of voters are still undecided, illustrating the unpredictable nature of the race.
In other election news, Mayor Adams has launched a verbal assault on Cuomo’s campaign, referring to the former governor’s current living situation and suggesting he should secure his own residence.
This comes as the House Oversight Committee has referred Cuomo to the Department of Justice for criminal prosecution for the second time, further complicating his candidacy.
The competition for the progressive vote is heating up, with Assemblymember Mamdani and Comptroller Brad Lander vying for the Working Families Party’s endorsement as they assess their number-one pick for the mayoral race.
In a separate political update, Governor Kathy Hochul’s approval ratings have been on the rise, signaling potential support for her initiatives going forward.
Of note, the New York State police have taken the controversial step of sharing its database of over 5,000 alleged gang members with the Trump administration, a move that could spark significant debate.
Looking ahead, the primary election is just 61 days away.
On April 25, a mayoral forum regarding accessibility for people with disabilities is scheduled from 5 to 7 p.m. at 1199SEIU, located at 498 7th Ave.
Staten Island residents should note that on April 29, a special election will take place to fill the vacancy left by Councilmember Joseph Borelli in City Council District 51.
May 1 is a critical date, as election officials will certify the primary ballot, clarifying which candidates will officially appear on it.
Also on May 1, the NYU Furman Center and New York Housing Conference will host a mayoral housing forum from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the Kimmel Center, 60 Washington Square South, with Errol Louis set to moderate.
In response to a reader’s question about why mayoral candidates discuss improving the MTA despite not controlling it, the answer lies in the structure of local governance.
The MTA oversees all mass transit in New York City, but the governor primarily controls it, including its budget and board.
While mayors lack direct authority over MTA operations, they manage the city’s streets through the Department of Transportation, significantly influencing the city’s bus system.
For instance, candidates promising to revamp the bus network or enhance aspects like police presence in subway stations might have realistic proposals, unlike suggestions to build new subway lines, which are not feasible without state support.
For more details on candidates’ transit proposals, Gothamist has reported extensively on the topic, providing insights into their plans.
As the campaign race continues to unfold, readers are encouraged to engage with the election process and share their observations.
Campaign literature is of particular interest, and individuals can contribute by sending photos of flyers or postcards received from candidates to the election team’s email or through Signal or WhatsApp.
In this critical election season, understanding the dynamics at play, especially regarding endorsements and candidate proposals, will be vital for New Yorkers as they prepare to exercise their voting rights.
image source from：https://www.thecity.nyc/2025/04/25/labor-endorsement-mayor-mta-power-election-newsletter/
