PEF backs 5 in February 12 elections What promises to be a tumultuous political year is off to a fast start with seven special elections scheduled for February 12 to fill vacancies created by the mid-term resignations or retirements of five state Assembly members and two state senators. PEF’s Statewide Political Action Committee met January 11 to endorse candidates in five of these races. No endorsements were made for Assembly Districts 19 or 56. Garnering the union’s endorsement are: • Senate District 20 — Carl Andrews (D), Brooklyn; • Senate District 26 — John Ravitz (R), Manhattan; • Assembly District 60 — James Hart (D), Staten Island; • Assembly District 100 — Roy McDonald (R), Washington and Saratoga Counties; • Assembly District 118 — William Sanford (R), Onondaga County. These endorsements by PEF’s Statewide PAC are final because they are for special (mid-term) elections. “Many important budgetary and legislative issues will be decided by state lawmakers this year, so these elections take on added significance,” said PEF Vice President Ken Brynien, chair of the Statewide PAC. “We considered these endorsements carefully and I hope our members in the affected districts will go to the polls on February 12 and support these candidates.” — Sherry Halbrook Back to Communicator Homepage