Kwame Patterson : 212-539-3676
312-371-2485
Lynsey Kryzwick: 212-388-3696
New York, NY – After a membership-driven six month endorsement process involving candidate interviews, policy briefings and a commitment to the union’s “New Deal” policy agenda, 32BJ announced today its complete list of Queens endorsements for the 2009 elections. The union’s most recent endorsements go to Mark Weprin for City Council District 23, Jimmy Van Bramer for City Council District 26 and Frank Gulluscio for City Council District 32.
“New Yorkers need a New Deal – a set of public policies that will help create good jobs and keep our City vibrant and affordable,” said Mike Fishman, President of 32BJ. “These candidates demonstrate both the leadership and the commitment to making this City work for working families.”
The union also announced its endorsement of Mayor Michael Bloomberg for re-election citing his record on creating good jobs, support for raising security industry standards and launching a Green Building initiative. This follows the union’s May endorsements of Helen Marshall for Queens Borough President and eight incumbent City Council members from Queens.
In open Council Districts, the union is endorsing Mark Weprin for City Council District 23 in Eastern Queens and Jimmy Van Bramer for City Council District 26, which encompasses parts of Western Queens. In addition, the union is supporting S.J. Jung to replace Councilman John Liu, who is vacating his 20th Council District seat, and Frank Gulluscio, who is challenging Republican Councilman Eric Ulrich who won the Council District 32 seat in the February special election.
As part of its political program, 32BJ intends to mobilize thousands of members to turn out Queens’ voters in support of these candidates for the City’s primary and general elections.
With more than 70,000 members in New York City, including over 17,600 who live in Queens, 32BJ is the largest property service union in the country.
