PEF gives Gillibrand early boost for U.S. Senate race

PEF-endorsed candidates win special elections
PEF endorsed two candidates to fill mid-term vacancies in the state Assembly and both of them won their special elections, held June 2 in the Bronx.

Democrats Vanessa Gibson, 30, and Marcos A. Crespo, 28, were elected to represent the 77th and 85th Assembly Districts, respectively.

The 77th AD was previously represented by Democrat Ruben Diaz Jr, who resigned to become the Bronx burough president. Aurelia Greene, also a Democrat, had represented AD 85 until she resigned to become the deputy burough president for the Bronx.

Gibson and Crespo will serve the remainder of the unexpired two-year terms that end in 2010.
— Sherry Halbrook

WELCOME — PEF President Ken Brynien welcomes U.S. Sec. of Labor Hilda L. Solis to the podium at the American Federation of Teachers Convention held in Washington, in June.
– Photo by Michael Campbell

By SHERRY HALBROOK
Although her U.S. Senate seat isn’t up for election until November 2010, New York’s junior senator, Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand is lining up support now, and the PEF Executive Board gave her the union’s endorsement when it met in Albany in June.

“PEF has had a long-standing relationship with Sen.Gillibrand,” said PEF President Ken Brynien. “She has proven herself as an advocate for working families and has remained supportive of public employees.

“The PEF leadership based its decision on her record of fighting for jobs, especially during the economic downturn. We are pleased to be the first statewide union to support her as she seeks election to the Senate,” Brynien said.

With the Senate in session, Gillibrand spoke to the board members by phone, thanking them for their support and pledging to continue to advocate for workers and their families.

“I’m so grateful and excited,” Gillibrand said. “Your endorsement will make a huge difference in taking a Senate seat from the Republicans. Early support is very important. Thank you for your early commitment.”

Many PEF members in Regions 7, 8 and 9 were strong supporters and active campaigners for Gillibrand in 2006 and again in 2008 when she ran successfully in the sprawling 22nd Congressional District, historically a Republican stronghold.

Gillibrand had just begun her second term in Congress when Gov. David Paterson appointed her to fill the Senate seat vacated by Hillary Clinton when she was confirmed as U.S. secretary of state.

PEF Vice Presidents Joe Fox and Pat Baker, who lead the union’s political action committee strongly urged the early endorsement.

Fox cited Gillibrand’s efforts to steer more than $1.3 million in stimulus funding to medical research facilities, such as Roswell Park Cancer Institute, in western New York.

Currently, Gillibrand is working with the United Steelworkers to get the International Trade Commission to help employees in the tire manufacturing industry in western New York whose jobs are jeopardized by a huge influx of tires from China.

Baker praised Gillibrand – a mother with two young children – for her support and advocacy for families, and for troops and veterans.