POLITICAL ARENA

Dinowitz nabs union endorsement

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Jeffrey Dinowitz has picked up the endorsement of one of the state’s largest unions, the Civil Services Employees Association.

The 300,000-member union noted the Assemblyman’s push for a $15 minimum wage in 2016, and has been on the side of workers through various labor disputes around the city and state.

Unions received a blow from the U.S. Supreme Court this past summer that targeted fair share fees unions rely on to fund their efforts.

“In a time where organized labor seems to be more under attack than it has been in several generations, I am proud to be endorsed by those who advocate for working people throughout the Northwest Bronx and the entire state,” Dinowitz said, in a release. “Our economy is built upon the successes of collective bargaining and workers’ right to organize.”

Dinowitz heads toward the November election with $180,000 of cash in his campaign war chest. But it seems he won’t need it. His Republican challenger, Alan Reed, appears to be an inactive candidate as of last April, according to the state board of elections. 

 

Biaggi, Klein earn endorsements

Both Sen. Jeffrey Klein and his primary challenger Alessandra Biaggi picked up key endorsements as their Thursday, Sept. 13 election date draws closer.

Klein has picked up a nod from the Police Conference of New York, comprised of 200 police benevolent associations, six regional conferences, and one retired police association — totaling some 25,000 police officers throughout the state.

“Sen. Klein has always stood up for unions, PBAs, and law enforcement officers throughout our state, and has fought hard and passed legislation that advances our interests, values and overall quality of life,” said Richard Wells, president of the police conference, in a release. “Sen. Klein has worked to ensure the safety of our police officers as well as our citizens, and to improve and strengthen our criminal justice system.”

Biaggi has earned the endorsement of a political candidate she hopes to emulate in her battle with Klein. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who upset long-time congressman Joe Crowley, has thrown her support behind Biaggi.

“Alessandra’s been knocking on doors nonstop on issues of housing, jobs and climate,” Ocasio-Cortez said in a release. “She’ll be a powerful Democratic voice in the state senate.”

 

Indivisible sides with Cynthia Nixon

Cynthia Nixon might have a very steep hill to climb if she has any hopes of toppling Gov. Andrew Cuomo in the Democratic primary, but she is getting support from a group with its origins in opposing Donald Trump.

Indivisible, with 400 chapters throughout the state, have thrown their support behind Nixon, the former actress, who blamed Cuomo for empowering the Independent Democratic Conference — the group of breakaway Democrats in the state senate led by Jeffrey Klein that caucused with Republicans and ensuring their control of the chamber.

“In New York, so many Indivisible members have been resisting the two biggest Republican enablers in our state: Andrew Cuomo and the IDC,” Nixon said in a release. 

“I am thrilled to receive the endorsement of Indivisible, and (we’ll) work together to transform the Democratic Party into one that fights for progressive values and not just big corporate donors.”

Michael Hinman, Jeffrey Dinowitz, Alessandra Biaggi, Jeffrey Klein, Cynthia Nixon, Andrew Cuomo,

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