Attorney General Letitia James received a high-profile endorsement from a key labor union in New York state. Meanwhile, U.S. Rep. Lee Zeldin's GOP campaign for governor received its own endorsement from labor.
Here's a roundup of the day's campaign news.
Hotel Trades endorses James
New York Attorney General Letitia James' re-election bid on Monday was given he backing of the Hotel Trades Council, a prominent and politically active labor union in state politics.
“Four years ago, we endorsed Tish James because we knew she'd be a fearless fighter for working people and for all New Yorkers,” said HTC President Rich Maroko. “Since then, she’s proven herself to be determined, formidable, and a solid ally for working families. We are thrilled to endorse Letitia ‘Tish’ James for re-election because as Attorney General, she is the champion that HTC members need fighting on their behalf. Our members look forward to working to get out every single vote that we can for Tish James – the People's Lawyer."
The union represents nearly 40,000 workers in the state. James has been previously endorsed by labor unions and organizations like the New York State AFL-CIO, NYSUT and TWU.
James is running for a second term this year after dropping her bid in December for the Democratic nomination for governor.
“As a lifelong champion for unions and working families, I am honored to earn the endorsement of the Hotel Trades Council,” she said. “The Covid era has revealed the depth of our state’s reliance on everyday workers: they were essential, they are essential, they will always be essential to the lifeblood of New York. I am running for re-election to continue fighting for justice for working people in every corner of New York state and to finish the important work I have started in our first term.”
Laborers Local backed Zeldin
Rep. Lee Zeldin's bid for the Republican nomination for governor on Monday won the backing of the Laborers Local 1298. Zeldin is competing for the nomination against former Trump administration official Andrew Guiliani and former Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino.
"New Yorkers, businesses, and different industries continue to leave our state as it is harder to operate here, taking their good-paying jobs out of New York. We know that you are committed to delivering for those that you serve and your legislative victories prove it. You have ushered multi-billion dollar projects to Long Island time and time again, and have always fought for hardworking men and women’s involvement in the process,” said George J. Truicko, business manager for Laborers Local 1298. “Local 1298 is honored to stand with you and support your candidacy for Governor of New York. Your record for fighting for Long Island’s laborers is clear and we know that you will strive to bring more good-paying jobs to Long Island and the state as a whole.”