Published: July 20, 2010

The state’s largest private sector union has thrown its weight behind Edward Braunstein in the race to replace state Assemblywoman Ann-Margaret Carrozza.

Braunstein, a Democrat who works as a legislative assistant for state Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver (D-Manhattan) picked up a nod from 32BJ, a service employees union that has 70,000 members in the state.

“Edward Brounstein [sic] is someone working people from Queens and across the state can count on to advocate for their needs,” said Mike Fishman, the union’s president, in a press release.

Braunstein will face off against Democrats Steve Behar, a Bayside attorney, John Duane, a former assemblyman who is the brother of state Sen. Tom Duane (D-Manhattan), and Whitestone attorney Elio Forcina.

Republicans in the race include attorney Vince Tabone and Rob Speranza, a former police officer who ran against Carrozza in 2008.